Cape Times

Chance for rugby stars to show mettle

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WITH the exception of three glorious years for the Bulls, Super Rugby has been one long disappoint­ment for SA Rugby fans.

The Bulls lifted the title in 2007, 2009 and 2010, but the Stormers, Lions and Sharks would dearly love to see their names on the trophy.

The 2019 edition starts today, and while it remains one of the most demanding competitio­ns in all of sport, SA fans will be hoping for good news, especially because it is a World Cup year.

The Lions have been the flagbearer­s for SA over the last three seasons, and although they’ve managed to produce some stunning displays of attacking rugby in recent years they, too, will want to go one better than the semi-final or final, and for them that will mean lifting the trophy.

The Stormers – who ended 11th overall last year – perhaps had most reason to be frustrated as 2018 culminated in yet another season of disappoint­ing performanc­es for the Cape side after three years under Robbie Fleck. But as they go into the competitio­n with a very strong side yet again – and minimal injuries this time – will this be a happy year for the long-suffering Newlands faithful?

The Bulls went one log position worse last year, ending 12th, while the Sharks managed eighth spot. Both sides are packed with Springboks and really have to deliver a better showing in 2019.

Remember when the Bulls and Sharks battled it out in an enthrallin­g Super Rugby final in 2007? Or 2009, when the Bulls hammered the Chiefs 61-17 in the final? Then there was the 2010 climax, when the men from Pretoria outplayed the Stormers in front of a packed Orlando Stadium crowd.

That was the last time a South African team won Super Rugby. And it’s been way too long since we’ve come anywhere near that level of success, while interest from fans has also taken a plunge locally.

As we said, it’s a World Cup year. And what better tonic for South African rugby than to lift the cup that has eluded SA teams for so long?

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