Lets kick off with the 2007 champions, the Bulle.

Summary:
Rugby champion teams always have a winning path that usually come for a period by a special group of players. The Bulls certainly do. They were nowhere when Heyneke Meyer arrived. Then he built a structure at the Bulls starting with his youth teams.He launched a scouting program in SA second to none and then got his players to grow. Start  winning the youth leagues competitions, the Vodacom Cup, then the Currie Cup , the S14 and the same core group was part of Jake Whites WC winning Bok team. If you look back to the Bulls history, the Brutes never let go when they achieve goals. They will try and hold on it no matter what. So 2008 they will try and do it all over again.

Player Losses:
Victor Matfield (4 weeks), Gary Botha, Stephan Basson, Frikkie Welsh, Thiart, Wessel Roux. And Johan Roets (retired)

Player Gains:
Tiger Mangweni (Cheetahs), Zane Kirchner (Griquas), Tertius Losper (Namibia), Francois Hougaard (WP), Stephan Dippenaar (WP), Jacques Burger (Namibia).

Their biggest lost is however Heyneke Meyer and their coaches gain are Frans Ludeke , Nico le Roux back from NZ and they have Eddie Jones in a consultant role.

Players to Watch:
Experience
They will look at their WC winning Bokke to carry the same confidence from 2007 into the S14 series. Players like Brain Habana, Fourie du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Guthro Steenkamp & Danie Rossouw will play vital leading roles in the team. Pierre Spies lose out on the WC and will be eager to get back on the field of play.   Remember Richard Bands?  He’ll be back in 2008 with a bang. 

Talented Youngsters:
Wilhelm Steenkamp, x SA U21 lock have big boots to fill until Matfield are back. I  have no doubt he’ll do just great. Derick Kuhn flanker now made hooker impressed in the CC not only as a player but also as a captain. Chilliboy Ralapelle is already marked as a future Bok captain. 

Challenges:
I’d say the biggest challenge for this team will be the way they adopt to the new rules and refs handling of this. The Bulls have a strong pack and they will have to change their gameplan a bit.  

Calendar:
Stormers (A), Crusaders (H),  Sharks (H), Lions (H),  Break, Reds (A), Chiefs (A),  Blues (A), WF (A), Hurricanes (H), Highlanders (H), Waratahs (H), Brumbies (H), Cheetahs (A), A good draw for them IF they can get their first up home games right.  

Rating:
The Bulls are usually slow starters. If they get there home run right first up, in the top 4.