This year sees the New Zealand and Australian teams with a point to prove after their poor campaigns in super 14 2007 and the rugby world cup. South Africa meanwhile has to try and maintain it’s supremacy and not experience the decline we suffered after the 1995 world cup.

With all teams losing quality players due to retirement and defections to the northern hemisphere, the chance is there for someone to grab the opportunity and gain momentum. In this regard the first 4 rounds will be critical to setting the tone of the season and gaining much needed confidence. My pick is for the Sharks to again be front runners and take the title. The Bulls are my favourite team but will find it harder without Matfield, Botha and coach Meyer.

Blues
Were the New Zealand frontrunners last year, but the loss of some key players in Williams and Rawlinson in the locks, Howlett on the wing, and McAlister and Tuitupou in midfield will leave them without the class to seriously challenge for the title. Expect a mid table finish

Bulls
Will be without some key personel from last year, but the Fortress of Loftus Versfeld and the passion of being a Bull will stand them in good stead for the home matches. The key will be picking up points whilst on the road but they should be there come semi final time and then anything can happen. Go the Bulle!

Brumbies
Will be a shadow of the team of years gone by. Take out some key forwards and the halfback pairing of Grogan and Larkham and this team will not be able to match most of the others. I am looking forward to them getting smashed and losing their proud record at home.

Cheaters
They may be Currie Cup champions but they will struggle in a competition where other teams are at full strength. Lack the experience and class in the halfbacks to seriously control games, although the forward pack should stand up to the others.

Chiefs
Have a similar squad to years gone by and may benefit from the inexperience of some of the other squads and the consistency of a settled squad. Once again plenty of speed and talent in the backs and good loose fowards. If their tight five can gain parity they may be a dark horse, although they have to beat the bogey of being a team that has never achieved anything.

Crusaders
Robbie Deans will want to get one more title before he becomes coach of the Wobblies. The loss of some stalwarts in Chris Jack, Aaron Mauger, and Rico Gear are offset by their new aquistions so once again they have a good forward pack and damaging backs. A strong squad with good depth will maintain their confidence and they always seem to bounce back strongly from a poor previous season. Will have to be watched and not allowed to gain early momentum.

Farce
Although they lack big name players, their squad is settled and coach John Mitchell will be hoping to build on their previous campaigns. Much will depend on their start, but opening with 3 away games to South African opposition should see the wheels fall off midway through their campaign.

Horricanes
As with most years, the Horrorcanes have good backs and strong loose forwards. Like the Chiefs their tight five will determine their success. Always a mixed bag but I suspect a strong showing this year, and they will be there or thereabouts come semi final time.

Islanders
A squad of no names, with most of the experience now gone. A rebuilding phase for the Islanders. The house of pain is no longer the intimidating factor it used to be so they will struggle both home and away. Should be fighting it out for last spot.

Lions
Coach Loffie Eloff will be looking to build on last year. Whilst he has a tenacious squad, the loss of Andre Pretorius and Jacques Fourie for the intial stages will leave them without the control in the backs to score enough tries. Their forward pack will try hard and if they can ensure the game remains tight they may win some low scoring affairs with the boot.

Reds
What a joke. No class, no hope, no chance. Should seal last spot from the Islanders. Thanks for making up the numbers and bringing super rugby to Brisbane.

Sharks
Have lost great experience in World Cup winners Smit, Skinstad, James and Montgomery. But the young brigade will have a years more experience, and coach Dick Muir will be much the wiser. The addition of French flyhalf Michalak will prove to be a masterstroke. Although they have a tough draw, the return to their traditional colours of black and white will lift them above that. Will go close to taking the title. Not black, not white…just dynamite!

Stormers
Could be the surprise package. As always much will be expected of them as they have too much talent to continually disappoint. The difference could be coach Rassie Erasmus. He simply always gets the best out of players. Have tough first up games against the Bulls and Sharks so losses there will test their resolve. Could be potential winners or once again be also rans. Impossible to predict.

Worrytahs
Should be the best of the Aussies, which is not saying much. Possible top six finish if they play to their potential but I just can’t see it happening.

Sanjay’s prediction
1. Sharks
2. Bulls
3. Crusaders
4. Stormers
5. Horrorcanes
6. Chiefs
7. Blues
8. Worrytahs
9. Lions
10. Cheaters
11. Farce
12. Brumbies
13. Islanders
14. Reds