The Super 14 almost always uncovers new stars each season. This year watch out for Jonathan Mokuena!

Mokuena led Griquas with distinction during the 2009 season, winning the Vodacom cup and playing above their weight during the Currie Cup.

Now he will be turning out for the Lions in this year’s Super 14, and believes great things are in store for his side.

Whilst I’d suggest his side will improve, I don’t see them as genuine semi-final contenders, but Mokuena is one player who may push on to higher honours.

Earlier this week Mokuena told Supersport “It’s ‘lekker’, there’s a great vibe around here. The guys are hungry and usually when there’s hunger, there’s danger.”

“The danger is that there’s a pride of Lions hungry to prove themselves. There’s a new vibe in the Lions and that’s good. We know that good things await just around the corner for us and there’s a hunger in the team to not be mediocre this year. We want to push our own standards higher” said Mokuena.

Coach Dick Muir has not selected his captain yet, and Mokuena has already shown he possesses great leadership qualities. Muir’s dilemma in appointing Mokuena may be that he has not secured a starting position just yet. However if captaincy does go his way, Mokuena has shown he leads from the front and is not adversely affected from the extra responsibility.

“It’s great. I like competition, it brings out the best in me. Also, Dick made it very clear on day one that nobody will simply walk in and claim their jersey in this team. That’s the secret why we will do well. We have a big squad and everyone knows they have to perform if they are to do well” said Mokuena.

“I’ve got to take time and set my sights on improving my game as a player. But that is where I believe I have a small advantage coming from Sevens rugby, whether it be my defence or attacking abilities, or the way I run support lines, you have to be sharper at Sevens. It gives me an edge. I want to make that number eight jersey mine this season. I know I’ll have to play well to get it and help the team achieve its goals. But that is what I’m aiming for” said Mokuena.

With his sevens skills, playing in a side with Carlos Spencer, and the open game plan favoured by Muir, we may see the sublime ball skills and ability to put players around him into space that Mokuena possesses. His workrate is fantastic, which one needs from your eighth man, and he is solid on defence.

Number eight is an area I believe the Boks need better backup if Pierre Spies is to get injured (without moving one of our flanks such as Juan Smith, Schalk Burger or even Danie Rousouw).

At the moment this is how I rate our current number eights:
Pierre Spies
Ashley Johnson
Duane Vermeulen
Ryan Kankowski

Spies is world class and one of the top 5 players I have ever seen. Johnson is raw but has great pace for a big man and gives good options with ball in hand. His workrate and overall polish need improving, but there is loads of talent there.

Vermeulen is a solid player and needs to take the step up. His basics are good, and he doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.

Many may be surprised I have not put Kankowski directly behind Spies, but for all his talents with ball in hand, he is not a player I’d pick in my side. He struggles when his side is going backwards, has poor handling skills and has a low workrate. My biggest concern is the way he disappears when the match is tight and tough.

Mokuena however may just be the man to take his opportunity on the international stage and show us all the potential I see in him. At 28 years old he would still be a great asset for Peter de Villiers, and a superb backup for Pierre Spies.

Lookout for a big season from Mokuena!