Cheeky has openly claimed that the 2014 Currie cup squad is 20 - 30% better than the 2013 Super Rugby squad. So I decided to compare the 2 squads by comparing each position and also the coaching staff...
2013 SR 2014
CC
Props:
Schalk Ferrreira Charl du Plessis
Jaco Engels CJ van der Linde
Kevin Buys Simon Kerrod
Grant Kemp (SWD) Tom Botha
Lizo Gqoboko
In the prop position I think the 2013 Super rugby squad has the advantage with more experience. Keep in mind though that if we would select a Super rugby squad at this moment Grant Kemp would be drafted and replace one of the EP props. In that case the 2013 SR front row and the 2014 SR front row is about even.
Hannes Franklin (SWD) Dane vd Westhuisen
Virgile Lacombe Albe de Swardt
Bandise Maku Michael van Vuuren
Edgar Marutlulle Edgar Maratlule
In the hooker position the 2013 SR and the 2014 CC teams are pretty even and with Hannes Franklin now at SWD he is still an option for a 2014 SR squad.
Locks:
Steven Sykes Steven Sykes
David Bullbring David Bullbring
Darron Nell Darron Nell
Rynier Bernardo Steve Cummins
In the lock position most of the players are the same players except for a straight swap of Rynier Bernardo for Steve Cummins. I personally think Bernardo a better option but due to better offers from overseas he left our shores. Steve Cummins however has come through the Australian ranks and represented their junior teams at a national level and should be an adequate replacement. Therefore the lock position is pretty much a tie between the 2013 SR squad and the 2014 CC squad.
Daniel Adongo Darron Nell
Wimpie van der Walt Shawn McDonnald
Mpho Mbiyozo Thembelani Bholi
Tomas Leonardi Aidon Davis
Cornell du Preez Paul Schoeman
Devin Oosthuizen Devin Oosthuizen
Luke Watson (Captain) Luke Watson
Jacques Engelbrecht Tim Agaba
In the looseforward position we have some youngsters coming through in the 2014 CC squad but the experience of Cornell, Wimpie, Mpho and 'Vleis' will be missed and therefore I think the 2013 SR squad edges the 2014 CC squad and probably was 30 - 40 % better. However the current crop is young and could improve with experience.
Backs
Scrummies:
Shaun Venter Kevin Luiters
Johan Herbst Jaco Grobler
Nicolas Vergallo Tobie Botes
All three the scrumhalves of last year has left the franchise and new players have been recruited. Trying to stick to the bring them home and keep them home theme Luiters and Grobler (both only 21) have been brought back to the franchise. Both players are very capable and should improve with experience and game time. Tobie Botes at the age of 29 has a lot of experience in Europe and gained 20 odd caps for the Italian international team and was drafted by the Kings to guide the youngsters through what will likely be a very tough Currie Cup season. Due to experience I think the 2013 SR squad again edges the 2014 CC squad with 10 - 20%.
Flyhalves:
Demetri Catrakillis Gary van Aswegen
George Whitehead George Whitehead
With George Whitehead featuring in both squads it comes down to who is the better flyhalf between Catrakillis and van Aswegen. Personally I prefer Catrakillis over van Aswegen and with Whitehead out of form the 2013 SR squad again edges 2014 CC squad with a few percent.
Centres:
Andries Strauss Tim Whitehead
Hadleigh Parkes Shane Gates
Ronnie Cooke Ronnie Cooke
Waylon Murray Dwayne Jenner
At centre things are pretty much even with Shane Gates coming through the ranks and showing some promise. Whitehead and Strauss pretty much an even swap and with Waylon Murray a regular on the injury list and with Dwayne Jenner a young strong up and coming player it tight to call who the better squad would have been and therefore I call it a tie in the centre position.
Wings:
Michael Killian Scott van Breda
Sergeal Petersen Sergeal Petersen
Marcello Sampson Paul Perez
Siyanda Grey Siyanda Grey
Ntabeni Dukisa
In the wing position it is also a tie as most of the players are the same. With van Breda improving and with Killian at the end of his career last year and with Perez pretty much a straight swap for Sampson I call this position a tie.
Fullbacks:
SP Marais Shakes Soyiswapi
Elric van Vuuren (SWD) Hansie Graaff
Shakes Soyiswapi
At fullback the 2014 SR squad is also better than the 2014 CC squad with basically a straight swap of SP for Hansie. Hansie showed some promise when playing for the Griffons a few seasons back and was names the CC 1st division player of the year in 2012. Then went to the Sharks where he struggled with injury and to get game time. Since his arrival at the Kings he had a few opportunities to challenge for a starting spot but failed to deliver. Lets hope he regains the form he had in 2012 (note he played at flyhalf then an might be his preferred position).
COACHING STAFF 2013 vs 2014
2013 2014
Director of rugby: Solomons none
Head Coach: Matt Sexton Carlos Spencer
Forwards Coach: Matt Sexton Shaun Sowerby
Defence Coach: Omar Mouneimne Michael Horak
One should also keep in mind that the 2014 SR squad also had better coaches than the 2014 CC squad. In my opinion 'King' Carlos doesn't have enough experience as a head coach, Sowerby has almost no experience as a forward coach. I also have some questions regarding Horak as a defence coach as the Cheetahs weren't really known for their good defence when he was involved.
With Solomons (with worlds of experience), Matt Sexton and Omar Mouneimne (highly rated defence coach) all involved in 2013 the 2013 SR squad definitely also has the advantage of better coaching staff.
If I were involved at the Kings I would seriously be on the lookout for a Proper Director of rugby and head coach. Nothing against Carlos as I would still keep him as the backline attacking coach.
MY CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE 2 SQUAD COMPARISONS:
With some positions even and with the 2013 SR squad beating the 2014 CC squad in the frontrow, looseforward, scrumhalf, flyhalf and fullback positions and with the 2013 squad also having better coaches I think it fair to say that in my opinion the 2013 SR squad is 20 - 30 % better (if not more) than the current 2014 CC squad and not the other way round as Cheeky claims.
