“They Play For Each Other” — Paulse Names The SA URC Franchise Set To Shock Europe
Springbok legend Breyton Paulse has tipped the 10bet Lions as the South African team to watch in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
The sixth season of the competition kicks off on Friday, 25 September, with the 10bet Lions facing a tough opening fixture against defending champions Leinster in Johannesburg on Saturday, 26 September.
However, after a groundbreaking campaign last season, when they won the South African Shield, reached the playoffs for the first time and saw coach Ivan van Rooyen named Coach of the Season, along with several other individual player awards, Paulse is hopeful that the 10bet Lions can go even further this season.
“I think, for the South African team that will surprise in this Vodacom United Rugby Championship season, I want to go with the 10bet Lions,” said Paulse.
“They really play for each other and play as a team, even with constraints around their budget and without the level of big-name players that other teams have.”
Elsewhere among the South African teams, Paulse believes both the DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls have strengthened their squads by bringing in the right players.
“I feel that the DHL Stormers have bought well this year with the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Siya Kolisi and Wilco Louw. Then you also have the rise of a player like Yaqeen Ahmed. It’s going to be massive.
“But it all comes down to keeping your players fit and avoiding injuries in key positions, such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ruhan Nel, who has been an inspirational captain.
“The Vodacom Bulls have also bought well. And then we’re still waiting for the Hollywoodbets Sharks to unlock their potential. Maybe this time around JP Pietersen has learnt a lot, and he’ll get those players to fire for him.”
