This is the second article in the series of Cheetahs Squad Contenders for Super Rugby 2014. We do 2 articles per week per South African Super Rugby participating franchise.
We discuss the players IN the Super Rugby Group, and not all the options beyond that.
In this Article we look at the contenders for HOOKERS in the Toyota Cheetahs 2014 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention.
The Contenders:
Name: Jan Adriaan “Adriaan” Strauss:
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Adriaan Strauss is one of the two current Springbok regular number 2’s. He has shown the last couple of seasons why he is so highly rated as a hooker and much will be expected from him in the 2014 season.
The Cheetahs are the squad that most likely have the most experienced bunch of hookers in the South African conference, with all three hookers boasting quite a number of provincial caps. It is doubtfull that these other two will be able to lift Strauss from the Cheetahs starting lineup.
Strauss had a tremendous season in 2013, both on provincial and international level and has also given Bismarck du Plessis a good run for a Springbok starting berth at hooker.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – South Africa IRB U19 World Championships, Blue Bulls ABSA U20 Competition Section A
- 2005 – Vodacom Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup, Blue Bulls ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round, Blue Bulls ABSA Under 21 Competition, Blue Bulls ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2006 – Vodacom Bulls Vodacom Super 14, Vodacom Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup, South Africa IRB Under 21 World Championship, Vodacom Blue Bulls ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2007 – Vodacom Cheetahs Vodacom Super 14, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – Vodacom Cheetahs Vodacom Super 14, South Africa Vodacom Incoming Tours, Vodacom FS Cheetahs Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, Vodacom FS Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2009 – Vodacom Cheetahs Vodacom Super 14, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs British & Irish Lions Tour, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa Vodacom Outgoing Tours
- 2010 – Vodacom Cheetahs Vodacom Super 14, Vodacom Free state Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Springboks Outgoing Tours
- 2011 – South Africa Castle Tri-Nations, Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby, Toyota Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby, South Africa Castle Incoming Tours, Toyota Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa The Castle Rugby Championship, Toyota Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation, South Africa Castle Outgoing Tours
- 2013 – Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby, South Africa Castle Lager Incoming Series, Toyota Free State Cheetahs Absa Currie Cup Premier Division, South Africa The Castle Lager Rugby Championship, South Africa Castle Lager Outgoing Tour
Name: Herculaas Johannes “Hercu” Liebenberg:
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Hercu Liebenberg has not had much game time in Super Rugby, he has however been around the block in the Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup and a brief stint for the French club Aurillac in 2008.
Much like his older brother at the Stormers (Tiaan Liebenberg) he is not shy to the physical part of rugby and will never back down from a challenge.
He finds himself in a Super Rugby side with quite some talent at hooker and under the circumstances will most likely be the 3rd choice for starter behind Strauss and Barnes.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2004 – Free State U18 Coca-Cola Craven Week
- 2005 – Free State Under 19
- 2006 – Free State ABSA Under 21 Competition, Vodacom Cheetahs Vodacom Cup
- 2007 – Free State Vodacom Cup, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – Shimlas Varsity Cup, Free State Vodacom Cup, Griffons Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, Vodacom FS Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Griffons ABSA Currie Cup First Division
- 2009 – Mighty Elephants ABSA Currie Cup First Division
- 2010 – Free State Vodacom Cup
- 2011 – Toyota Free State Cheetahs Vodacom Cup, Shimlas Varsity Cup, Emerging Cheetahs Absa Currie Cup Compulsory friendlies, Griffons ABSA Currie Cup First Division, Toyota Freestate Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2012 – Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby, Toyota Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Toyota Free State Cheetahs ABSA Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation
- 2013 – Toyota Cheetahs Lions Challenge, Toyota Free State XV Vodacom Cup, Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby, Toyota Free State Cheetahs Absa Currie Cup Premier Division
Name: Ryno Joseph “Ryno” Barnes:
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Barnes is quite a seasoned hooker in South Africa and is currently the first choice hooker for the Griquas. He did not start his career at Griquas, he made his provincial debut for Western Province back in 2006, from where he moved up to the Falcons for two seasons and then from there down back to the Griquas where he is currently applying his trade.
Barnes is a solid replacement and will most likely be the regular replacement for first choice hooker Adriaan Strauss. He is also not shy of contact and will always step up to the plate when his number is called up and give 100%.
His playing career is as follows:
- 2005 – SA Amatures
- 2006 – Vodacom WP Vodacom Cup
- 2007 – Valke Vodacom Cup, Valke ABSA Currie Cup Qualifiers, Valke ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2008 – Valke Absa Currie Cup Promotion / Relegation, Valke ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division, Valke Vodacom Cup
- 2009 – GWK Griquas Vodacom Cup, Royal XV British & Irish Lions Tour, GWK Griquas Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, GWK Griquas ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2010 – Vodacom Cheetahs Vodacom Super 14, Griquas Vodacom Cup, GWK Griquas Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies, GWK Griquas ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division
- 2011 – GWK Griquas Vodacom Cup, Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2012 – GWK Griquas Vodacom Cup, Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby
- 2013 – GWK Griquas Vodacom Cup, Toyota Cheetahs Vodacom Super Rugby
Starters:
The Cheetahs are most likely the side with the most experience on paper when it comes to their hookers. They also have one of the current Springbok hookers in their side.
It is very unlikely that any hooker will start ahead of Adriaan Strauss, with Ryno Barnes on the bench. We could see this combination throughout the whole season with the exception of when injuries occur. Liebenberg wil most probably get some game time, but is unlikely to be a regular in the match-day squad.
The next Article in the range will deal with the Cheetahs locks.
Adriaan Strauss is huge for the Cheetahs.
The other 2 hookers are both able back-ups