Loose forward Josh Strauss was a dominating force for the Lions in the Super 15, and the bearded star continues to impress and establish himself as one of the brightest talents in South African Rugby.
Powerful in contact, Strauss is a highly rated player who started his career with Boland and, while performing well for the Maties in the Varsity Cup in 201, attracted attention from a number of Unions in South Africa and in Europe.
Given an opportunity at the Lions during the 2010 Currie Cup, Strauss quickly made a name for himself - impressing Kiwi Coach John Mitchell. The dynamic back row star has gone from strength to strength in recent times and was recently voted the Lions 'Fans Player of the Super 15'.
Seen as a natural leader on the park, Strauss was handed the Lions captaincy for a game in the Super 15, beating out several more experienced candidates when the regular captain was out injured. The charismatic 24 year-old has also attracted a lot of attention due to his noticeable beard - a similar style to that donned by French icon Sebastian Chabal. Ultimately though his performances have been what have made Strauss stand out and the coming Super Rugby Season will be a great platform for the former Bolander to continue to show his talents.
Date of Birth: 23/10/86
Position: No.8 / Blindside Flank
Height: 1.92m
Weight: 114kg
Currently contracted to: Lions
Media: Lion-man Strauss on Supersport
An athletic flanker, the Brumbies recruited Julian Salvi straight out of high school. The former Australian Schoolboys captain graduated through the Brumbies ' development pathway and handled the step to full-time professional training with ease. In 2004, Salvi represented Australia u19 at IRB World Championships and the following year made his Super 12 debut. From 2005 to 2009, he represented Brumbies in 49 Super Rugby games and was selected for Australia A. In 2009 he signed for Bath and had a very successful season in Northern Hemisphere regularly topping the stats in Premiership.
He was recognised for an outstanding season by claiming the Bath’s Best Forward award.
After completing the season with Bath and committing to his return to the ACT, Salvi decided to return to the Premiership for the 2011/2012 season and signed with Leicester Tigers.
Date of Birth: 09/10/1985
Position: Openside Flank / No.8
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 100 kg
Currently contracted to: Leicester Tigers
Ulster No.8 Robbie Diack grew up in Durban but made a name for himself with Western Province in the 2006 Currie Cup competition before then agreeing a move to Ravenhill.
Seemingly breaking out of nowhere, the former Stellenbosch student put himself into the Springbok frame thanks to his strong work off the base of the scrum and around the park during the domestic season.
Now based in Belfast, the South African has become an influential member of Brian McLaughlin's squad and has gained both Magners League and Heineken Cup experience in recent seasons.
Diack adds great strength and bulk to any pack of forwards and is a player who still has a very bright future ahead of him.
Date of Birth: 12/11/85
Position: No.8
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 118kg
Currently contracted to: Ulster Rugby
Christo Le Roux matriculated at Oakdale Agricultural High School and after school decided to accept a bursary from University of Potchefstroom (Pukke). He represented North West Leopards in u21 competition and then returned to George to represent SWD Eagles in 2008.
In 2009, he moved to Mpumulanga Pumas to compete in the Top 8 Currie Cup and he has been a consistent performer at no.8 for 3 seasons. A big ball carrier, Le Roux regularly breaks tackles and crosses the advantage line.
Date of Birth: 28/03/85
Position: No.8
Height: 1.91m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: Pumas
Daniel Browne was born in Auckland and moved to Europe from New Zealand in 2002 when he joined Grenoble in France on a 3 year contract. Whilst at Grenoble, he played under the coaching of Dean Richards and made a big impression in the then Top 16 competition.
In 2005, he decided to move to England and signed a 2 year contract with Northampton. He played well for Northampton and proved to be one of the most dangerous ball carrying no.8’s in Premiership rugby. After 2 years with Northampton, he joined Bath and enjoyed 3 seasons with the West Country club, playing particularly well in his first 2 seasons but missing most of his last season with an injury.
In 2010, Browne joined Leeds and in his 20 games for the Yorkshire based club, he developed a talent for playing in second row as well as at no.8. When Leeds got relegated, Browne decided to move back to Grenoble in France where his European sojourn initially began.
He is currently playing for Grenoble and his experience should help them in their pursuit of promotion.
Date of Birth: 16/04/79
Position: No.8
Height: 1.95m
Weight: 112kg
Currently contracted to: Grenoble
Jacques Engelbrecht is a powerful, direct and mobile loose forward. A ball carrier, the former Monument School star has attracted a lot of attention due to his robust performances in recent times.
Engelbrecht began his professional senior career with Western Province, playing in the 2007 Currie Cup but, a year later, decided to move to the South Western District Eagles. Looking for the opportunity to establish himself as a first-choice player, Engelbrecht soon became a fixture in the Eagles' lineup.
In 2010, following an impressive Currie Cup campaign with SWD, he was called up into the Springbok Sevens training squad and featured for Paul Treu's men in the home leg of the World Series in December of that year.
His performances that season had also attracted the attentions of a number of big unions, including the Sharks, Bulls and, reportedly, the Lions.
Date of Birth: 10/06/85
Position: Blindside Flank / No.8
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 110kg
Currently contracted to: Eastern Province
England Sevens star Chris Cracknell has become an important part of Ben Ryan’s ambitious squad over the last couple of years.
While his credentials in the smaller version of the game are well known, Cracknell is also a very accomplished fifteens player – having gained Premiership experience with both Bath and Worcester in recent seasons.
Powerful, quick and skilful, the Windsor-born star has a great workrate in both forms of the games – featuring as a dynamic flank forward in the full version of the sport.
Cracknell recently became one of England's few fully contracted Sevens players, confirming his status as a key member of Ben Ryan's squad.
Date of Birth: 06/08/84
Position: Loose Forward
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: England Sevens
A former Brumbies Academy star, Henry Vanderglas forced himself into the top level of Australian rugby through hard work and determination.
Now also an established Sevens star, the quick loose forward is solidly built - standing 1.92m tall and weighing 107kgs.
Date of Birth: 09/05/85
Position: Flank
Height: 1.92m
Weight: 107kg
Currently contracted to: Bristol
Springbok forward Hilton Lobberts remains one of the most dominating physical enforces in South African rugby - powerful, physical and extremely talented, the former Bulls star is still in the prime of his career.
Lobberts established himself as a top-flight player with the Bulls, at both Currie Cup and Super 14 levels, before earning his first Springbok cap in 2006.
Starting his career as a big, bruising loose forward, Lobberts is equally comfortable in the second row, having played there for both the Bulls and the Stormers during his career.
Regularly compared to All Black legend Jerry Collins, Lobberts physical presence makes him a threat to any defence. Currently contracted to Boland, he has been a star performer for them in the Currie Cup.
Lobberts first burst on to the scene in 2004, when he represented South Africa at Under-19 level, and quickly developed into a top quality player. In 2006 he was nominated for the South African Young Player of the Year award.
Date of Birth: 06/11/86
Position: Blindside Flank / Lock
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 105kg
Currently contracted to: Western Province
International Honours: Springboks (2 Caps)
Griquas flank forward Wesley Wilkins cut his teeth in the Varisty Cup, leading the Maties to two consecutive competition triumphs.
Hard-working and determined, Wilkins' work rate has helped him to establish himself as a key member of Dawie Theron's Griquas side since he first moved to Kimberley in 2009.
Wilkins is considered a natural leader and played two years of SA Students rugby before earning his chance at being a full professional with Griquas.
Date of Birth: 15/07/85
Position: Openside Flank
Height: 1,87m
Weight: 99kg
Currently contracted to: Griquas
A talented and hard working flank forward, Pieter Louw excelled at School level – starring for both Western Province and South Africa at age-group level.
Still a young man, the former Paarl Boys’ High pupil made his debut for Western Province in 2005 and has been a regular member of their first team squad ever since.
Known for his high work rate and impressive skill level, Louw has already amassed over 50 Currie Cup appearances for his home Union and made his Super rugby debut for the Stormers in 2009.
Louw enjoyed far more regular Super 14 action in 2010 – proving to be an essential part of the successful Cape franchise.
Date of Birth: 24/01/85
Position: No.8 / Blindside Flank / Openside Flank
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 95kg
Currently contracted to:Unattached
International
Honours: SA Schools (2003), SA U19 (2003 & 2004), SA U21 (2005 &
2006)
A former SA Schools star, powerful looseforward Leon Karemaker has been tipped for great things in South African rugby.
Karemaker made his professional debut for Western Province in 2005 following two successful years with the Under-20 side.
Powerful and skilful, Karemaker moved to Griquas in 2010 and starred for Dawie Theron's side in the Vodacom Cup.
Date of Birth: 18/05/85
Position: Blindside Flank / No.8
Height: 1.91m
Weight: 100kg
Currently contracted to: Griquas
International Honours: SA Under-19 (2003-04)
A powerful loose forward, Ockert Kruger made his Super rugby debut with the Bulls in 2010 after strong performances in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup in the previous season.
Kruger began his career at Loftus in 2006. Having represented the powerhouse region at the Under-18 Craven Week he then graduated into the Under-19 side the following year. his senior debut came in 2007, in the Vodacom Cup, and the rest, as they say is history.
Competing with world-class loose forwards for starting spots in the Bulls lineup, Kruger is tipped for big things in the future.
Date of Birth: 12/01/87
Position: Openside Flank
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 97kg
Currently contracted to: Unattached
Former Stellenbosch University flank 'Boetie' Britz is widely considered as one of South Africa's most unexploited gems. A powerful loose forward who strikes fear into opposition teams because of his ferocious defence, Britz has only had his career progress hampered thus far due to a couple of unfortunate injuries.
Originally from Mossel Bay, Britz attended Oakdale High School and was a member of the 2005 SA Schools side. A year later, after playing for the Western Province Under- 19 side, Conraad was selected for the Springbok Under-19 side.
Brits made his Vodacom Cup debut for Western Province in 2008 and has been a member of two Varsity Cup winning Maties sides - in 2009 and 2010.
In 2011 Britz joined the Southern Kings and quickly made his mark at the region. His hard work around the pitch, coupled with his destructive defence, is an asset not many players can rival.
Date of Birth: 28/07/87
Position: Openside Flank
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 108kg
Currently contracted to: EP Kings
International Honours: South Africa Under-19 (2006), SA
Schools
(2005)
Media: Wrecking-ball Britz big hit
Young backrow star Thorleif Halvorsen has made a name for himself with Boland, both at age-group and senior level.
Capable of playing both flank and No.8, Halvorsen has attracted a lot of attention recently thanks to his powerful performances in the Currie Cup First Division. Mobile and strong, he is a strong ball carrier who has an impressive work- rate around the pitch.
Date of Birth: 09/05/88
Position: No.8 / Blindside Flank
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 107kg
Currently contracted to: Boland
Former Western Province flank forward Tyrone Holmes is currently playing his rugby in the UK, representing the Cornish Pirates in England's Championship competition.
A powerful loose forward, Holmes is highly-rated because of his high work rate and impressive work at the contact situation. Very physical and powerful, he is a strong cog in any teams lineup.
Date of Birth: 15/04/86
Position: Openside Flank
Height: 1.87m
Weight: 102kg
Currently contracted to: Unattached
Powerful flank forward Siya Mdaka is one of South Africa's most promising back row stars.
Currently playing in the Varsity Cup, Mdaka began his career with the Sharks Under-19 squad. Known for his ferocious work on defence and his high workrate, the former George Campbell High star has a big future ahead of him.
Date of Birth: 14/02/88
Position: Loose forward
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 99kg
Currently contracted to: Pukke
A powerful loose forward, Mostert excelled at age-group level where he represented the SA Schools side in 2006, and Western Province from 2007 -2009.
Mostert made a name for himself in the Varsity Cup competition where he helped the Maties win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Following this impressive showing, the Pumas were quick to sign the young and dynamic flanker.
Date of Birth: 22/01/88
Position: Blindside Flank
Height: 1.94m
Weight: 102kg
Currently contracted to: Mpumalanga Pumas
