Stormers (Last year: 11th)

The Capetonians would have been extremely disappointed with their lowly finish last season, but they may have the personnel to vastly improve on that performance. A franchise loaded with Bok players like national skipper and flank Siya Kolisi, lock Eben Etzebeth, flank Pieter-Steph du Toit and props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe should provide better results. In a World Cup year, however, their team selections could also be influenced by national players being managed and rested at key periods before the showpiece later this season in Japan. The off-field turmoil could also have an influence on the team’s morale, while they have to address their poor away record before they can start dreaming of any playoff scenarios. The Stormers are faced with local derbies in their first three matches against the Bulls away, the Lions at home and the Sharks away. After a bye, they then host the Jaguares before their tough away trip starts against the Hurricanes on March 23, followed by matches against the Blues, Reds and Rebels. The Stormers boasted a good home record at Newlands last season but losing all eight of their away matches didn’t help their cause at all. They have lost the services of wing Raymond Rhule, scrumhalf Dewald Duvenhage, No 8 Nizaam Carr and prop JC Janse van Rensburg, but they have gained prop Corne Fourie from the Lions and centre Ruhan Nel from the national Sevens team.

Player to watch: Pieter-Steph du Toit: The move from lock to flank has seen the Bok star progress from a good player to a great player. Recently named the SA Player of the Year, he was a consistent performer for both the Stormers and the Boks last season, but he will need more support from his team-mates in this year’s campaign.

Projected finish: Eighth