Super Rugby Review Round 1

It's back and bigger and better than ever before. Yes, the fantasy competition has finally kicked off after days of questionable marketing, this year's competition promises to be the most competitive, banterful and best yet. Oh, and the rugby wasn't too bad.

Cheetahs 20-21 Lions

The re-instated Lions are not expected to do much in this year's competition. Up until the 60th minute in this tie, they weren't expected to do much at all. Elgar Watts came on for the Cheetahs, and between some terrible placekicking and some basic errors, a long drop goal from 20 year old debutante Marnite Boshoff gave the Lions an unexpected win. The majority of their good play rested on the shoulders of their backrow, with Jaco Kriel carrying very well and Derek Minnie and Warren Whitely also performing well. In the backs, Lionel Mapoe gives Boshoff and outlet, and all five along with Springbok Franco van der Merwe will need big seasons in order to beat the performances of the Kings last season. It's hard to say what went wrong for the Cheetahs, with the backline looking impressive. Willie le Roux pulled the strings and created tries for both wingers. The pack needs to up it another gear to get back to last seasons form, while another game could iron out some of the mistakes that crept in. Johan Goosen finally got through a game, and his fitness will be vital to the Cheetahs playoff hopes.

Sharks 31-16 Bulls

Last season's Currie Cup was confirmation that with the unprecedented volume of departures from Loftus Versfeld, that the Bulls will struggle this season. The young team did well to stay competitive and in the game for as long as they did, but Pat Lambie's last minute try puts some gloss on the performance and gave the "Shorks" all five match points. For the "Shorks", it was a perfect opening to life under Jake White, and they will be hoping that Pat Lambie kicks on now that he has been given a position to make his own.

Dream Team

1. Julian Redelinghuys 22 LIONS
2. Adriaan Strauss 39 Cheetahs
3. Tendai Mtwararira 20 "SHORKS"
4. Franco van der Merwe 19 LIONS
5. Flip van der Merwe 15 BULLS
6. Marcell Coetzee 37 "SHORKS"
7. Lappies Labuschagne 31 CHEETAHS
8. Philip van der Walt 29 CHEETAHS
9. Cobus Reinach 30 "SHORKS"
10. Pat Lambie 44 "SHORKS"
11. Lwazi Mvovo 31 "SHORKS"
12. Francois Venter 22 CHEETAHS
13. Paul Jordaan 37 "SHORKS"
14. Cornal Hendricks 32 CHEETAHS
15. Willie le Roux 31 "CHEETAHS"

An intriguing dream team selection so far, with try scorers dominating the backline although creator Willie le Roux sneaks in ahead of Raymond Rhule. Workhorses feature in the pack, with Coetzee's 15 tackles earning him a lot of points, and the unheard of Julian Redelinghuys earning Football Manager gem status by not putting a foot wrong in earning the top prop spot for the week. With the rest of the competition starting this week, managers have to balance their teams carefully. A long way to go.

TwitterFight

A number of people have asked if it's too late to enter. A look at the table below will tell you. Places 3rd to 19th are still wide open. And the players in the head to head, but not classic can join the classic league with their current team and points too.

New entries here

Head to Head

Some intriguing fixtures thrown up already, with last year's champion falling to Alex Shaw sport (@alexshawsport), can he make it two in a row next week by proving he is better than average? While Cillian Hogan's Poseidon's Belvedere will be in "the trenches" with the competition leader.

A look at the table shows the beauty of head to head, with Northern Stereotype in 11th with 48 points ahead of DJ's army with 267 points in 12th possy.

The week is sure to be full of boasting, name calling and the occasional cry in the bathroom as #fantsbants moves to Round 2.