In December’s discussions of the Super Rugby squad contenders for 2015, we discuss 2 positions in seperate Articles (Props & Hookers) and also seperate the Articles of the 5 SA Super Rugby participating franchises.
Work committments interfered a bit with my plans to start these articles at the hefty pace of 10 Super Rugby Articles every week, as today is the final day of the 1st week and this only represents the 3rd Article in the range, 7 behind schedule… but with a plan to radically catch up after the Christmas festivities and whilst leisurely following the 5-Day Cricket Test between South Africa and the West Indies which starts on Boxing Day (26 December).
The basic idea is to discuss the players IN the Super Rugby Group, and not all the options beyond that.
In this Article we look at the contenders for PROPS in the Toyota Cheetahs 2015 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention.
The Contenders:
Name: Coenrad Victor “Coenie” Oosthuizen:
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Coenie is yet another Grey College product and first represented his province in 2005 at the Under 16 Grant Khomo Week, before again representing Free State Under 18 in 2006 and 2007 at the Craven Week.
He progressed through the ranks of Shimlas (Varsity Cup) and the Free State Under 19 and Under 21 ranks untill becoming a regular in the Free State Cheetahs senior side from 2008.
He first played Super Rugby in 2010, although he was part of the Cheetahs Super Rugby squad in 2009 already.
Oosthuizen has become an expected name in the Springbok group, this has however come at a price where he has to play at tighthead prop instead of his regular loosehead spot, due to Springbok requirements and due to a neck injury which now only makes him suitable for the tighthead role.
Oosthuizen has proven the last couple of seasons that he is a force in world rugby and with ball in hand will try and run over basically any opposition player. Oosthuizen is not the best tighthead prop around in World Rugby and is sometimes somewhat less than solid in the scrum, but does a good job at clearing out at ruck time and playing hard in the tight loose exchanges.
Coenie made his first Test appearance on 9 June 2012 against England in Durban and has 21 Springbok caps, scoring 15 points in the process.
Rugby Career:
- 2005: Free State (Under 16 Grant Khomo Week)
- 2006: Free State (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2007: Free State (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week), South Africa (SA Schools), Free State (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2008: Shimlas (FNB Varsity Cup), Free Stae (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2009: Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14 – squad member), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championships), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2010: Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsory Friendlies), Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Outgoing Tours)
- 2011: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Castle Tri-Nations)
- 2012: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Incoming Tours), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (The Rugby Championship)
- 2013: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Series), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (The Rugby Championship), Springboks (Castle Lager Outgoing Tour)
- 2014: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Springboks (Castle Lager Incoming Series), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Springboks (Castle Lager Outgoing Tour)
Name: Caylib Rees Oosthuizen:
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Born in Cape Town, Caylib started representative rugby with SWD in 2007 at the Academy week, and was also part of the SA Schools Academy team. He was signed by the Lions after being spotted in the Varsity Cup. He was selected for the 2009 Junior Bok squad, for the IRB Junior World Championship. Having already played Currie Cup and Super rugby with the MTN Lions, Caylib got very few starting chances or any form of regular game time at the Golden Lions Rugby Union.
In 2014 he benefitted tremendously from the move to the Toyota Free State Cheetahs and Toyota Cheetahs, playing in 16 Super Rugby games and a further 11 Provincial games.
With the dearth of Cheetahs props having left for greener pastures, Caylib might nail dowen the Loosehead prop spot at the Cheetahs for himself in 2015.
He is a solid prop, without being exceptional and has shown that he is able to scrum and run with the ball.
It is with trepedation that we look at the Cheetahs props, but maybe Calib steps up in 2015.
I don’t think Caylib has what it takes to become a Springbok.
Rugby Career:
- 2007: SWD Eagles (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2008: Golden Lions (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2009: Golden Lions (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2010: Golden Lions (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2011: UJ (FNB Varsity Cup), Golden Lions (Vodacom Cup), Golden Lions (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2012: Golden Lions (Vodacom Cup), Lions (Vodacom Super Rugby), Golden Lions (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2013: Toyota Free State Cheetahs (Vodacom Cup), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby – Squad Member), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2014: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
Name: Nicolaas Johannes John “Maks” van Dyk:
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As a scholar at Paarl Boys’ High School, he represented Western Province at the Under 18 Academy Week and Craven Week competitions in 2010. He then moved to Durban to join the Natal Sharks academy. He played for the Sharks Under 19 side during the 2011 Under 19 Provincial Championship competition and for the Sharks Undere 21 in 2012.
In 2012, he was part of the SA Under 20 side that won the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship held in South Africa. He made substitute appearances in the matches against Ireland and England and started the semi-final against Argentina and the final against New Zealand.
Van Dyk made his first 2 first class appearances for the Sharks XV during the 2012 Vodacom Cup, coming on as a substitute against the Free State XV in Bloemfontein and against the SWD Eagles in Durban.
He became a regular in the team during the 2013 Vodacom Cup, starting 6 of their 8 matches (his first senior start coming against Western Province in Cape Town) and coming on as a substitute in the other 2.
He joined Kimberley-based side GWK Griquas prior to the 2014 season and was also included in the training squad for the Griquas’ Super Rugby side, the Cheetahs. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Cheetahs in a 21–20 defeat to the Lions in Bloemfontein.
He joined Irish Pro12 side Leinster on a two-month loan deal in November 2014 during the South African rugby off-season.
Van Dyk joined Port Elizabeth-based side Eastern Province Kings for the 2015 season, even though he would still be available for the Cheetahs during the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Maks will be behind Coenie Oosthuizen in the tighthead pecking order.
Rugby Career:
- 2010: WP (Under 18 Academy Week & Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2011: Sharks (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2012: Sharks XV (Vodacom Cup), South Africa (IRB Junior World Championship), Sharks (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2013: Sharks XV (Vodacom Cup), Sharks (ABSA Under 21 Competition), The Sharks (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2014: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifiers), GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Leinster (On loan)
Name: Jacobus Stephanus “Bees” Roux:
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He started his playing career at the Leopards and represented them in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions in 2005 and 2006, making over 40 appearances.
In 2007, he joined Kimberley-based side Griquas, where he played his rugby over the next three seasons. During his spell at Griquas, he also played Super Rugby for the Cheetahs, making seventeen appearances for them in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He also spent the off-season at the end of 2008 playing some rugby for French Top 14 side Clermont, appearing in both the Top 14 and Heineken Cup competitions.
He joined the Blue Bulls in 2010, making eight appearances for them, as well as fourteen appearances for the Bulls in the 2010 Super 14 season.
Following an incident in August 2010, Roux was charged with the culpable homicide of police officer Sergeant Ntshimane Johannes Mogale. As a result of a plea bargain agreement, Roux was given a five-year prison sentence in September 2011, suspended on the condition that he paid R750 000 to the widow of the police officer.
He continued his career in France, joining Bordeaux Bègles for the 2011–12 Top 14 season and then playing for Italian side Benetton Treviso in the 2012–13 Pro 12 competition.
He returned to South Africa in 2013 and joined the Golden Lions for the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division and he was named in their starting line-up for their match against the Free State Cheetahs.
However, he failed to feature regularly for the Johannesburg-based side and joined the Free State Cheetahs for the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division.
He also played for a Highveld XV team against the British and Irish Lions during their tour to South Africa, starting the match and scoring a try.
Rugby Career:
- 1997: Eastern Province (Under 16 Grant Khomo Week)
- 1998: Eastern Province (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 1999: Eastern Province (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2000: Eastern Province (Under 19 Competition)
- 2001: Falcons (Under 21 Competition)
- 2002: Leopards (Bankfin Under 21), Leopards SA A (SA Cup)
- 2003: Leopards (ABSA Reserve Division B)
- 2005: Impala Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifying Round), Impala Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2006: Impala Leopards (Vodacom Cup), Impala Leopards (ABSA Currie Cup First Division)
- 2007: Wildeklawer Griquas (Vodacom Cup), Wildeklawer Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Wildeklawer Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2008: Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14), Wildeklawer Griquas (Vodacom Cup), Wildeklawer Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Wildeklawer Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2009: GWK Griquas (Vodacom Cup), Vodacom Cheetahs (Vodacom Super 14), Highveld XV (British & Irish Lions Tour), GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2010: Vodacom Bulls (Vodacom Super 14), Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Vodacom Blue Bulls (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2011: Bodeaux Bègles (French Top 14)
- 2012: Bordeaux Bègles (French Top 14), Benetton Treviso (Pro 12)
- 2013: Benetton Treviso (Pro 12), Golden Lions (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
- 2014: Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
Name: Kevin Bruce Stevens:
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After representing the Free State Cheetahs at the 2005 Under 18 Craven Week competition, he progressed through the different youth structures at the team, playing for the Free State Under 19 side in 2006 and for the Free State Under 21 side in 2007 and 2008.
Stevens first appeared for the senior side when he played in a compulsory friendly between the Pumas and the Free State Cheetahs prior to the 2007 Currie Cup Premier Division. He was named in the squad for the 2008 Vodacom Cup, but failed to make an appearance. His first senior appearance in a competitive first class match came during the 2009 Vodacom Cup competition, when he started their match against the Border Bulldogs, one of five appearances in that competition.
Stevens failed to break into the Currie Cup squad at the Free State Cheetahs and decided to join their near-neighbours the Griffons prior to the 2009 Currie Cup First Division season. He remained in Welkom for the next four years, playing regularly in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions, making 72 appearances for the side. He helped the Griffons reach the semi-finals of the First Division for four years in a row between 2009 and 2012, although they never won it or appeared in the promotion play-off matches.
In 2012, he also made two appearances for Varsity Cup side UFS Shimlas.
In 2011, Stevens also played in one match on loan to the Griquas, his first match in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup. He played off the bench just after the hour mark against former side the Free State Cheetahs and helped his side to a 23–20 victory in Kimberley.
Despite announcing his intention to leave the Griffons at the end of 2013 to a career outside of rugby, he was subsequently included in the Free State XV side that played in the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition. He started in all their matches during the season, also scoring one try against Western Province in Cape Town.
Rugby Career:
- 2005: Free State (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2006: Free State ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2007: Vodacom Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2008: Free State (Vodacom Cup – Squad Member), Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition)
- 2009: Free State (Vodacom Cup), Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division)
- 2010: Griffons (Vodacom Cup), Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division)
- 2011: Tasol Solar Griffons (Vodacom Cup), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby – Squad Member), Tasol Solar Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup Compulsary Friendlies), GWK Griquas (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Tasol Solar Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division)
- 2012: Shimlas (FNB Varsity Cup), Griffons (Vodacom Cup), Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division)
- 2013: Down Touch Griffons (Vodacom Cup), Down Touch Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division)
- 2014: Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Toyota Free State XV (Vodacom Cup), Down Touch Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup Qualifiers), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division), Down Touch Solar Griffons (ABSA Currie Cup First Division)
Name: Luan de Bruin:
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Luan de Bruin got recognised for provincial selection at primary school level in 2006, when he was included in the Blue Bulls Under 13 squad that played at the Craven Week competition. In 2009, he was selected in their Under 16 Grant Khomo Week squad and he played at the Under 18 Craven Week competitions in both 2010 and 2011. After the 2011 tournament, he was included in a South African Academy side that played against a France Under 18 side in Durban.
In 2012, De Bruin moved to Bloemfontein. He made eleven appearances for the Free State Under 19 side during the 2012 Under 19 Provincial Championship, starting ten of those matches. At the start of the 2013 season, he played for university side UFS Shimlas during the 2013 Varsity Cup competition, where he made six substitute appearances.
He was selected in the South African Under 20 side that played in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France. He started in their first two pool matches, a 97–0 victory over the United States and a 31–24 victory over eventual champions England. He didn’t feature in their match against hosts France, but was restored to the starting line-up in their semi-final clash with Wales, where South Africa suffered an 18–17 defeat. He was also in the run-on side that met New Zealand in the third-placed play-off and De Bruin scored one of six South African tries as they beat New Zealand 41–34 to secure a third-place finish in the tournament.
In the latter half of the 2013 season, De Bruin played in four matches for the Free State Under 21 side during the 2013 Under 21 Provincial Championship before he played in another Varsity Cup campaign for the UFS Shimlas in February and March 2014.
De Bruin’s first taste of senior provincial rugby came during the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition for the Free State XV after the 2014 Varsity Cup concluded. He made his debut when he was named in the run-on side for their match against the Eastern Province Kings in Cradock, helping his side to a 31–3 victory. That was the first of five consecutive starts De Bruin made during the competition as they reached the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by his former side, the Blue Bulls.
De Bruin was included on the reserve bench for the Cheetahs’ second-last match of the 2014 Super Rugby season against the Sharks in Bloemfontein.
In July 2014, De Bruin signed a new contract with the Free State Cheetahs until the end of 2016.
Rugby Career:
- 2006: Blue Bulls (Under 13 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2009: Blue Bulls (Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week)
- 2010: Blue Bulls (Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week)
- 2011: Blue Bulls (Under 18 Coca-Cole Craven Week), South Africa (SA Academy side vs France Under 18)
- 2012: Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Under 19 Competition)
- 2013: South Africa (IRB Junior World Championship), Toyota Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division – Squad Member)
- 2014: Shimlas (FNB Varsity Cup), Toyota Cheetahs (Vodacom Super Rugby), Toyota Free State XV (Vodacom Cup), Free State (ABSA Under 21 Competition), Toyota Free State Cheetahs (ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division)
Starters:
The Toyota Cheetahs are extremely THIN at prop in 2015.
It appears that they will start with Caylib Oosthuizen at loosehead prop and Coenie Oosthuizen at tighthead prop (to fall in with the wishes of the Springboks). Neither of these 2 are traditionally strong scrummagers! Bees Roux might come to the foreground again as the old warhorse with the battle scars gets opportunities to let his wavering career relive.
Maks van Dyk will have to up his game considerably in all facets of his game, to bolster the Cheetahs meagre prop stocks.
2 Youngsters who might also come through are Kevin Stevens and Luan de Bruin.
It is not looking rosy at all for the team from the City of Roses, as far as front row play is concerned for 2015.
Between the 2014 Super Rugby season and now, the Cheetahs have lost Trever Nyakane (Bulls), Rossouw de Klerk (Glasgow Warriors) and Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors).
The next Article in the range will deal with the Cheetahs hookers.
Well, there’s another props article… a bit long between Articles, but with Christmas inbetween and before that the last bit of work to get over and verby, the next lot of Articles will be much more regular from now!
Cheetahs looking decidedly fragile at prop for the Season…
@ grootblousmile:
Thanks GBS – the Cheetahs are indeed looking a little “thin” in the front row!
Coenie is not a tighthead prop of international quality but I guess he’ll be playing there during Super Rugby.
Maks van Dyk will indeed have to improve if he wants to be “reckoned” at tighthead. He still has youth on his side and I hope for his sake (and the Cheetahs’ sake) that he improves. Up until now he has not impressed me, particularly at scrum time.
Bees might still be called upon to do some work up front – he is not getting any younger though
2 @ charlesm:
Also put the Stormers Props up and would like your comments there too, please!
@ grootblousmile:
I’ve been waiting for that but I guess the comments (by yourself) will be similar to that of the Cheetahs 😆
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