Bulls (Last year: 12th)

Another year, another season of high hopes at Loftus Versfeld. We’ve heard it all before, but maybe this year really will be different. Pote Human has taken over the coaching reins from John Mitchell and is an old-school coach, but highly-respected by the players, and he has indicated that the Bulls will continue with the high-intensity, more expansive style of play they used last year. The Bulls have welcomed the undoubted quality of Duane Vermeulen and Schalk Brits, as well as the tremendous experience they will bring. Otherwise the Bulls still have a young squad; even with Adriaan Strauss and all his experience in the middle of the front row they flattered to deceive last year. Nevertheless, there is plenty of quality in the side, especially in the second row and at flyhalf in Handre Pollard, plus there is x-factor in the backline courtesy of Warrick Gelant and Jesse Kriel. Maybe this will be the year they surprise us all.

Player to watch: Duane Vermeulen: The eighthman has come a far way to represent the Bulls - born and schooled in Nelspruit, he moved from the Pumas to Free State in 2007, before representing Western Province and the Stormers for seven years, before signing a lucrative four-year deal with Toulon, which ended last year. A season in Osaka playing for Kubota Spears has just come to an end and, with the Stormers not wanting him back, one of South Africa’s greatest players is hoping to bring a resurgence to the Bulls. The Springbok veteran will bring tremendous go-forward with ball-in-hand to the Bulls, will add some much-needed defensive steel and just his experience alone will go a long way to making them a better side, a team that is more often on the right side of the narrow margins in rugby.

Predicted finish: 9th