Super Rugby - The in's and the out's
While it's not quite as frantic as the seasonal transfer window in world football, there has been a fair deal of movement among the local South African franchises as players are shipped in and out, others seen to be surplus to requirements and various gaps plugged.
The biggest turnover of players has predictably been at the financially-stricken Southern Kings, who only remain functional due to the SA Rugby Union's administrative intervention.
They still seemingly remain a convenient stopover for fringe franchise players or players out of contract, which is pretty sad for a franchise which draws many players from one of the big talent factories in South African rugby.
The 2017 Kings squad is virtually unrecognisable from that of last season, when they managed just two victories.
The Bulls have been very conservative and promoted a good deal of their Currie Cup stars to test the water at a higher level, with a few telling acquisitions. The 2016 runners-up, the Lions have also tweaked their squad.
While the Cheetahs have had a few departures, coach Franco Smith has managed to retain the nucleus of his 2016 squad and also rewarded his Currie Cup-winning stars with a chance to nail down a spot at Super Rugby level.
The Sharks shopping basket was also relatively empty, with newly-appointed Super Rugby mentor Robert du Preez taking good look at the bubbling-under stock in the Durban side's Currie Cup outfit as he moves into his first season as a Super Rugby coach.
The standout feature of the out column is once again the amount of players with a fair deal of rugby left in them being lured away by the magnetic attraction of foreign currency.
They still seemingly remain a convenient stopover for fringe franchise players or players out of contract, which is pretty sad for a franchise which draws many players from one of the big talent factories in South African rugby.
The 2017 Kings squad is virtually unrecognisable from that of last season, when they managed just two victories.
The Bulls have been very conservative and promoted a good deal of their Currie Cup stars to test the water at a higher level, with a few telling acquisitions. The 2016 runners-up, the Lions have also tweaked their squad.
While the Cheetahs have had a few departures, coach Franco Smith has managed to retain the nucleus of his 2016 squad and also rewarded his Currie Cup-winning stars with a chance to nail down a spot at Super Rugby level.
The Sharks shopping basket was also relatively empty, with newly-appointed Super Rugby mentor Robert du Preez taking good look at the bubbling-under stock in the Durban side's Currie Cup outfit as he moves into his first season as a Super Rugby coach.
The standout feature of the out column is once again the amount of players with a fair deal of rugby left in them being lured away by the magnetic attraction of foreign currency.
Here's a look at all the ins and outs of the SA Rugby franchises as we head into another Super Rugby season:
BULLS
IN:
Prop: Jacobie Adriaanse (from Kings), Martin Dreyer (from Blue Bulls), John-Roy Jenkinson (from Blue Bulls), Conraad van Vuuren (from Fs Cheetahs)
Hooker: Corniel Els (from Blue Bulls), Edgar Marutlulle (from Kings)
Lock: Lood de Jager (from Cheetahs)
Flanker: Shaun Adendorff (from Boland Cavaliers), Ruan Steenkamp (from Blue Bulls), Jacques Potgieter (Sharks).
Scrumhalf: André Warner (from Blue Bulls)
Flyhalf: Tony Jantjies (from Blue Bulls)
Centre: JT Jackson (from Blue Bulls), Johnny Kôtze (from Stormers)
Wing: Sibahle Maxwane (from Western Province), Jade Stighling (from Blue Bulls), Cornel Hendricks (from Cheetahs - on trial)
Fullback: Ulrich Beyers (from Blue Bulls)
OUT:
Prop: Dean Greyling (to Oyonnax, Fra), Werner Kruger (Scarlets, Wales), Nqoba Mxoli (to Blue Bulls), Marcel van der Merwe (Toulon, Fra), Hencus van Wyk (ret to Munakata Sanix Blues, Jap).
Hooker: Bandise Maku (retired), Callie Visagie (released)
Lock: Grant Hattingh (Kubota Spears, Jap), Irné Herbst (to Kings), Nico Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier, Fra), Marvin Orie (to Lions)
Flank: Lappies Labuschagné (Kubota Spears, Jap), Freddy Ngoza (Blue Bulls), Deon Stegmann (Honda Heat, Jap)
Flyhalf: Joshua Stander (to Blue Bulls)
Centre: Dan Kriel (to Stormers)
Wing: Bjorn Basson (to Stormers)
Fullback: SP Marais (to Stormers)
IN:
Prop: Jacobie Adriaanse (from Kings), Martin Dreyer (from Blue Bulls), John-Roy Jenkinson (from Blue Bulls), Conraad van Vuuren (from Fs Cheetahs)
Hooker: Corniel Els (from Blue Bulls), Edgar Marutlulle (from Kings)
Lock: Lood de Jager (from Cheetahs)
Flanker: Shaun Adendorff (from Boland Cavaliers), Ruan Steenkamp (from Blue Bulls), Jacques Potgieter (Sharks).
Scrumhalf: André Warner (from Blue Bulls)
Flyhalf: Tony Jantjies (from Blue Bulls)
Centre: JT Jackson (from Blue Bulls), Johnny Kôtze (from Stormers)
Wing: Sibahle Maxwane (from Western Province), Jade Stighling (from Blue Bulls), Cornel Hendricks (from Cheetahs - on trial)
Fullback: Ulrich Beyers (from Blue Bulls)
OUT:
Prop: Dean Greyling (to Oyonnax, Fra), Werner Kruger (Scarlets, Wales), Nqoba Mxoli (to Blue Bulls), Marcel van der Merwe (Toulon, Fra), Hencus van Wyk (ret to Munakata Sanix Blues, Jap).
Hooker: Bandise Maku (retired), Callie Visagie (released)
Lock: Grant Hattingh (Kubota Spears, Jap), Irné Herbst (to Kings), Nico Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier, Fra), Marvin Orie (to Lions)
Flank: Lappies Labuschagné (Kubota Spears, Jap), Freddy Ngoza (Blue Bulls), Deon Stegmann (Honda Heat, Jap)
Flyhalf: Joshua Stander (to Blue Bulls)
Centre: Dan Kriel (to Stormers)
Wing: Bjorn Basson (to Stormers)
Fullback: SP Marais (to Stormers)
HEAD COACH: Nollis Marais (Unchanged)
CHEETAHS
IN:
Prop: Tom Botha (from Kings)
Flyhalf: Ryno Eksteen (from Stormers), Clinton Swart (from Griquas)
OUT:
Prop: Luan de Bruin (FS Cheetahs), Teunis Nieuwoudt (SWD Eagles), BG Uys (to FS Cheetahs), Maks van Dyk (to Toulouse, Fra).
Hooker: Neil Rautenbach (to Western Province)
Lock: Lood de Jager (to Bulls), Boela Serfontein (to Griffons)
Flank: Willie Britz (to Japan Sunwolves), Tienie Burger (to FS Cheetahs), Steven Meiring (to FS Cheetahs), Gerhard Olivier (to FS Cheetahs).
Scrumhalf: JP Smith (to FS Cheetahs), Ruan van Rensburg (to Fs Cheetahs)
Flyhalf: Sias Ebersohn (to Pumas), George Whitehead (to Griquas)
Centre: Joubert Engelbrecht (to Griffons), Reinhardt Erwee (to FS Cheetahs), Tertius Kruger (to Griffons)
Wing: Maphutha Dolo (to FS Cheetahs), Gerrie Labuschagné (to FS Cheetahs)
Fullback: Coenie van Wyk (to Toshiba Brave Lupus, Jap)
IN:
Prop: Tom Botha (from Kings)
Flyhalf: Ryno Eksteen (from Stormers), Clinton Swart (from Griquas)
OUT:
Prop: Luan de Bruin (FS Cheetahs), Teunis Nieuwoudt (SWD Eagles), BG Uys (to FS Cheetahs), Maks van Dyk (to Toulouse, Fra).
Hooker: Neil Rautenbach (to Western Province)
Lock: Lood de Jager (to Bulls), Boela Serfontein (to Griffons)
Flank: Willie Britz (to Japan Sunwolves), Tienie Burger (to FS Cheetahs), Steven Meiring (to FS Cheetahs), Gerhard Olivier (to FS Cheetahs).
Scrumhalf: JP Smith (to FS Cheetahs), Ruan van Rensburg (to Fs Cheetahs)
Flyhalf: Sias Ebersohn (to Pumas), George Whitehead (to Griquas)
Centre: Joubert Engelbrecht (to Griffons), Reinhardt Erwee (to FS Cheetahs), Tertius Kruger (to Griffons)
Wing: Maphutha Dolo (to FS Cheetahs), Gerrie Labuschagné (to FS Cheetahs)
Fullback: Coenie van Wyk (to Toshiba Brave Lupus, Jap)
HEAD COACH: Franco Smith (Unchanged)
SOUTHERN KINGS
IN:
Prop: Justin Forwood (EP Kings), Ross Geldenhuys (Highlanders, NZ), Chris Heiberg (Force, Aus), Schalk van der Merwe (Montpellier, Fra), Dayan van der Westhuizen (Blue Bulls)
Hooker: Tango Balekile (EP Kings), Kurt Haupt (SWD Eagles), Mike Willemse (Stormers)
Lock: Irné Herbst (from Bulls, Cameron Lindsay (unattached), Wandile Putuma (Griquas), Mzwanele Zito (Griquas)
No 8: Christiaan de Bruin (EP Kings), Ruaan Lerm (Lions)
Scrumhalf: Louis Schreuder (Stormers), Ricky Schroeder EP Kings), Johan Steyn (SWD Eagles), Rudi van Rooyen (Griquas)
Flyhalf: Coyi Banda (Border Bulldogs), Lionel Cronjé (unattached), Pieter-Steyn de Wet (EP Kings), Garrick Mattheus (EP Kings)
Centre: Berton Klaasen (EP Kings), Neil Maritz (Sharks), Waylon Murray (EP Kings)
Wing: Alshaun Bock (Griquas), Makazole Mapimpi (Border Bulldogs), Yaw Penxe (EP Kings)
Fullback: Chrysander Botha (Namibia), Ntabeni Dukisa (Griquas), Johann Tromp (EP Kings)
OUT:
Prop: Justin Ackerman (Golden Lions), Jacobie Adriaanse (Bulls), Louis Albertse (Pumas), Tom Botha (Cheetahs), Liam Hendricks (Griquas), Sti Sithole (Lions), Vukile Sofisa (released).
Hooker: Martin Ferreira (to Western Province), Edgar Marutlulle (to Bulls)
Lock JC Astle (to Mont-de-Marsan, Fra), Philip du Preez (Mont-de-Marsan, Fra), Tazz Fuzani (to Pumas), Cornell Hess (released), Schalk Oelofse (Mont-de-Marsan, Fra), Steven Sykes (Oyonnax, Fra)
Flyhalf: JP Jonck (released)
No 8: Aidon Davis (Toulon, Fra), Jacques Engelbrecht (Montauban, Fra), Junior Pokomela (to Cheetahs)
Scrumhalf: Leighton Eksteen (SWD Eagles), James Hall (to Oyonnax, Fra), Ntando Kebe (Border Bulldogs), Kevin Luiters (to Pumas)
Flyhalf: Louis Fouché (to Kubota Spears, Jap), Dewald Human (to Blue Bulls), Theuns Kotzé (to Boland), Elgar Watts (to Griquas)
Centre: Lukhanyo Am (to Sharks), JP du Plessis (released), Shane Gates (to NTT Shining Arcs, Jap), Jeremy Ward (to Sharks), Stefan Watermeyer (retired)
Wing: Charles Radebe (to SWD Eagles)
Fullback: Jaco van Tonder (to Valpolice, Ita), Jurgen Visser (to Docomo Red Hurricanes, Jap).
IN:
Prop: Justin Forwood (EP Kings), Ross Geldenhuys (Highlanders, NZ), Chris Heiberg (Force, Aus), Schalk van der Merwe (Montpellier, Fra), Dayan van der Westhuizen (Blue Bulls)
Hooker: Tango Balekile (EP Kings), Kurt Haupt (SWD Eagles), Mike Willemse (Stormers)
Lock: Irné Herbst (from Bulls, Cameron Lindsay (unattached), Wandile Putuma (Griquas), Mzwanele Zito (Griquas)
No 8: Christiaan de Bruin (EP Kings), Ruaan Lerm (Lions)
Scrumhalf: Louis Schreuder (Stormers), Ricky Schroeder EP Kings), Johan Steyn (SWD Eagles), Rudi van Rooyen (Griquas)
Flyhalf: Coyi Banda (Border Bulldogs), Lionel Cronjé (unattached), Pieter-Steyn de Wet (EP Kings), Garrick Mattheus (EP Kings)
Centre: Berton Klaasen (EP Kings), Neil Maritz (Sharks), Waylon Murray (EP Kings)
Wing: Alshaun Bock (Griquas), Makazole Mapimpi (Border Bulldogs), Yaw Penxe (EP Kings)
Fullback: Chrysander Botha (Namibia), Ntabeni Dukisa (Griquas), Johann Tromp (EP Kings)
OUT:
Prop: Justin Ackerman (Golden Lions), Jacobie Adriaanse (Bulls), Louis Albertse (Pumas), Tom Botha (Cheetahs), Liam Hendricks (Griquas), Sti Sithole (Lions), Vukile Sofisa (released).
Hooker: Martin Ferreira (to Western Province), Edgar Marutlulle (to Bulls)
Lock JC Astle (to Mont-de-Marsan, Fra), Philip du Preez (Mont-de-Marsan, Fra), Tazz Fuzani (to Pumas), Cornell Hess (released), Schalk Oelofse (Mont-de-Marsan, Fra), Steven Sykes (Oyonnax, Fra)
Flyhalf: JP Jonck (released)
No 8: Aidon Davis (Toulon, Fra), Jacques Engelbrecht (Montauban, Fra), Junior Pokomela (to Cheetahs)
Scrumhalf: Leighton Eksteen (SWD Eagles), James Hall (to Oyonnax, Fra), Ntando Kebe (Border Bulldogs), Kevin Luiters (to Pumas)
Flyhalf: Louis Fouché (to Kubota Spears, Jap), Dewald Human (to Blue Bulls), Theuns Kotzé (to Boland), Elgar Watts (to Griquas)
Centre: Lukhanyo Am (to Sharks), JP du Plessis (released), Shane Gates (to NTT Shining Arcs, Jap), Jeremy Ward (to Sharks), Stefan Watermeyer (retired)
Wing: Charles Radebe (to SWD Eagles)
Fullback: Jaco van Tonder (to Valpolice, Ita), Jurgen Visser (to Docomo Red Hurricanes, Jap).
HEAD COACH: Deon Davids (Unchanged)
LIONS
IN:
Prop: Justin Ackerman (from Kings), Johannes Jonker (Border Bulldogs), Sti Sithole (Kings), Hencus van Wyk (Bulls).
Lock: Marvin Orie (from Bulls)
Flank: Hacjivah Dayimani (from Golden Lions), Kwagga Smith (SA Sevens, Golden Lions)
Flyhalf: Shaun Reynolds (Golden Lions)
Wing: Madosh Tambwe (Golden Lions)
OUT:
Prop: Julian Redelinghuys (injured), Pieter Scholtz (Golden Lions), Clinton Theron (Boland Cavaliers)
Hooker: Ramone Samuels (to Stormers)
Lock: MB Lusaseni (retired), Martin Muller (released)
Flank: Stephan de Wit (to Stormers), Ruaan Lerm (to Kings), Warwick Tecklenburg (retired)
Flyhalf: Marnitz Boshoff (Connacht, Ire), Ashlon Davids (Golden Lions)
Centre: Stokkies Hanekom (Golden Lions)
Wing: Koch Marx (Golden Lions), Sampie Mastriet (released)
Fullback: JW Bell (Valladolid, Spain)
IN:
Prop: Justin Ackerman (from Kings), Johannes Jonker (Border Bulldogs), Sti Sithole (Kings), Hencus van Wyk (Bulls).
Lock: Marvin Orie (from Bulls)
Flank: Hacjivah Dayimani (from Golden Lions), Kwagga Smith (SA Sevens, Golden Lions)
Flyhalf: Shaun Reynolds (Golden Lions)
Wing: Madosh Tambwe (Golden Lions)
OUT:
Prop: Julian Redelinghuys (injured), Pieter Scholtz (Golden Lions), Clinton Theron (Boland Cavaliers)
Hooker: Ramone Samuels (to Stormers)
Lock: MB Lusaseni (retired), Martin Muller (released)
Flank: Stephan de Wit (to Stormers), Ruaan Lerm (to Kings), Warwick Tecklenburg (retired)
Flyhalf: Marnitz Boshoff (Connacht, Ire), Ashlon Davids (Golden Lions)
Centre: Stokkies Hanekom (Golden Lions)
Wing: Koch Marx (Golden Lions), Sampie Mastriet (released)
Fullback: JW Bell (Valladolid, Spain)
HEAD COACH: Johan Ackermann (Unchanged)
SHARKS
IN:
Prop: John-Hubert Meyer (Sharks Currie Cup)
Hooker: Stephan Coetzee (Sharks Currie Cup)
Lock: Jean Droste (Sharks Currie Cup)
Flank: Jacques Vermeulen (from Stormers)
Scrumhalf: Rowan Gouws (Sharks Currie Cup), Hanco Venter (Sharks Currie Cup)
Flyhalf: Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Sharks Currie Cup)
Centre: Lukhanyo Am (from Kings), Tristan Blewett (Sharks Currie Cup), Jeremy Ward (Kings)
Wing: S'busiso Nkosi (Sharks Currie Cup), Kobus van Wyk (Stormers)
Fullback: Clément Poitrenaud (Toulouse, Fra)
OUT:
Prop: Dale Chadwick (to Narbonne, Fra), Gerhard Engelbrecht (Griffons)
Hooker: Kyle Cooper (to Newcastle Falcons, Eng).
Lock: David McDuling (Canterbury, NZ), Giant Mtyanda (Sharks Currie Cup), Tjiuee Uanivi (to Glasgow Warriors, Scot).
Flank: Marcell Coetzee (Ulster, Ire), Jacques Potgieter (to Bulls).
No 8: Renaldo Bothma (to Bulls)
Scrumhalf: Stefan Ungerer (released)
Centre: Paul Jordaan (to La Rochelle, Fra), Heimar Williams (retired)
Wing: Wandile Mjekevu (loaned to Kings), JP Pietersen (to Leicester Tigers, Eng).
Fullback: Willie le Roux (to Wasps, Eng), Joe Pietersen (to Kamaishi Seawaves, Jap).
IN:
Prop: John-Hubert Meyer (Sharks Currie Cup)
Hooker: Stephan Coetzee (Sharks Currie Cup)
Lock: Jean Droste (Sharks Currie Cup)
Flank: Jacques Vermeulen (from Stormers)
Scrumhalf: Rowan Gouws (Sharks Currie Cup), Hanco Venter (Sharks Currie Cup)
Flyhalf: Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Sharks Currie Cup)
Centre: Lukhanyo Am (from Kings), Tristan Blewett (Sharks Currie Cup), Jeremy Ward (Kings)
Wing: S'busiso Nkosi (Sharks Currie Cup), Kobus van Wyk (Stormers)
Fullback: Clément Poitrenaud (Toulouse, Fra)
OUT:
Prop: Dale Chadwick (to Narbonne, Fra), Gerhard Engelbrecht (Griffons)
Hooker: Kyle Cooper (to Newcastle Falcons, Eng).
Lock: David McDuling (Canterbury, NZ), Giant Mtyanda (Sharks Currie Cup), Tjiuee Uanivi (to Glasgow Warriors, Scot).
Flank: Marcell Coetzee (Ulster, Ire), Jacques Potgieter (to Bulls).
No 8: Renaldo Bothma (to Bulls)
Scrumhalf: Stefan Ungerer (released)
Centre: Paul Jordaan (to La Rochelle, Fra), Heimar Williams (retired)
Wing: Wandile Mjekevu (loaned to Kings), JP Pietersen (to Leicester Tigers, Eng).
Fullback: Willie le Roux (to Wasps, Eng), Joe Pietersen (to Kamaishi Seawaves, Jap).
HEAD COACH: Robert du Preez (Sharks Currie Cup) - Replaces Gary Gold (Worcester Warriors, Eng)
STORMERS
IN:
Prop: Caylib Oosthuizen (From EP Kings), Frans van Wyk (W Province)
Hooker: Dean Muir (from Falcons), Ramone Samuels (from Lions), Chad Solomon (W Province)
Lock: Eduard Zandberg (W Province)
Flank: Marnus Schoeman (from Pumas), Cobus Wiese (W Province)
No 8: Juarno Augustus (W Province), Jaco Coetzee (W Province)
Scrumhalf: Dewaldt Duvenage (Perpignan, Fra)
Flyhalf: Damian Willemse (W Province)
Centre: Dan Kriel (from Bulls)
Wing: Bjorn Basson (from Bulls), Khanyo Ngcukana (W Province)
Fullback: SP Marais (from Bulls)
OUT:
Prop: Vincent Koch (Saracens, Eng), JP Smith (released)
Hooker: Scarra Ntubeni (injured), Mike Willemse (to Kings)
Lock: Jean Kleyn (to Munster), Ire), David Ribbans (to Northampton Saints, Eng)
Flank: Schalk Burger (Saracens, Eng), Kobus van Dyk (W Province), Jacques Vermeulen (Sharks)
No 8: Kobus van Dyk (to W Province)
Scrumhalf: Nic Groom (to Northampton Saints, Eng), Louis Schreuder (to Kings)
Flyhalf: Ryno Eksteen (to Cheetahs), Brandon Thomson (to Glasgow Warriors, Scot)
Centre: Jaco Taute (to Munster, Ire)
Wing: Cornal Hendricks (to Toulon, Fra), Johnny Kôtze (Bulls), Scott van Breda (released), Kobus van Wyk (to Sharks), Leolin Zas (injured).
HEAD COACH: Robbie Fleck (Unchanged)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
IN:
Prop: Caylib Oosthuizen (From EP Kings), Frans van Wyk (W Province)
Hooker: Dean Muir (from Falcons), Ramone Samuels (from Lions), Chad Solomon (W Province)
Lock: Eduard Zandberg (W Province)
Flank: Marnus Schoeman (from Pumas), Cobus Wiese (W Province)
No 8: Juarno Augustus (W Province), Jaco Coetzee (W Province)
Scrumhalf: Dewaldt Duvenage (Perpignan, Fra)
Flyhalf: Damian Willemse (W Province)
Centre: Dan Kriel (from Bulls)
Wing: Bjorn Basson (from Bulls), Khanyo Ngcukana (W Province)
Fullback: SP Marais (from Bulls)
OUT:
Prop: Vincent Koch (Saracens, Eng), JP Smith (released)
Hooker: Scarra Ntubeni (injured), Mike Willemse (to Kings)
Lock: Jean Kleyn (to Munster), Ire), David Ribbans (to Northampton Saints, Eng)
Flank: Schalk Burger (Saracens, Eng), Kobus van Dyk (W Province), Jacques Vermeulen (Sharks)
No 8: Kobus van Dyk (to W Province)
Scrumhalf: Nic Groom (to Northampton Saints, Eng), Louis Schreuder (to Kings)
Flyhalf: Ryno Eksteen (to Cheetahs), Brandon Thomson (to Glasgow Warriors, Scot)
Centre: Jaco Taute (to Munster, Ire)
Wing: Cornal Hendricks (to Toulon, Fra), Johnny Kôtze (Bulls), Scott van Breda (released), Kobus van Wyk (to Sharks), Leolin Zas (injured).
HEAD COACH: Robbie Fleck (Unchanged)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre