Rugby
SA United Rugby Championship Team of the Week – Round 10
Andre Esterhuizen was the total package as the Sharks pulled off a stunning 30-19 upset against the Stormers in their United Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town on Saturday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
It was the hosts’ first loss of the URC season and the Durbanites’ first URC victory over their coastal counterparts in the Mother City.
On Friday night, the Bulls overturned a 12-point halftime deficit to edge Edinburgh 19-17 in the Scottish capital, while the Lions played to a 24-all draw with the Ospreys in Bridgend.
Our Team of the Week consists of six Sharks, six Lions and a trio of Bulls.
15: Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)
Fassi was fantastic in all facets of his game. He was lethal on attack, brilliant with his left boot – with his banana kick 50:22 that resulted in three points being particularly memorable – and scrambled well on defence to earn the Man of the Match award.
14: Richard Kriel (Lions)
In the modern game, wings are no longer there to just score tries. Kriel’s performance underpinned that as he made key contributions despite having no scoring opportunities of his own. He teed up Quan Horn beautifully for his try with a chip and made some dominant tackles. We’ve moved him to the right wing to accommodate a red-hot rookie.
13: Henco van Wyk (Lions)
Despite being plagued by injury, Van Wyk put his body on the line in his 50th appearance for the Lions. “Weapon X” was dynamic on attack and a dog on defence, either side of passing an HIA. Hopefully, the uber-talented centre can go on an injury-free run this year.
12: Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks) – Player of the Week
“The Agent of Chaos” was absolutely colossal, doing what only he can as a hybrid player, excelling in the midfield and when he moved to flank. Gain line dominance, beautiful passes, quality kicking, sensationally reeling in Lionel Zas to save a try, smashing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and scoring from a rampant driving maul, the Sharks’ skipper did it all.
11: Jaco Williams (Sharks)
Welcome to the big time! The young gun made his first start and dealt well with the pressure of the occasion. Grabbing Jordan Hendrikse’s pinpoint crosskick to score his first URC try would’ve bolstered his confidence and he kicked on from there, making some crucial tackles.
10: Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks)
With all eyes on the Cape Town clash, Hendrikse reminded Rassie Erasmus of his quality by outplaying Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Whereas the Stormers captain blew hot and cold, Hendrikse turned in a polished all-round performance, complete with a world-class crosskick try assist.
9: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)
Commentator Paul Stubbs put it perfectly when he described the older Hendrikse brother as “the picture of control.” He also made a statement by outshining Cobus Reinach with a clinical showing.
8: Francke Horn (Lions)
A man who doesn’t hog headlines but delivers time and time again, the Lions skipper had a big game and bagged a brace. His first five-pointer came via an excellent finish, while the second was down to his underrated power.
7: Batho Hlekani (Lions)
Age-wise, he’s a boy amongst men, but that doesn’t stop the beastly blue-chipper from dominating collisions, as he did in Bridgend. The 20-year-old is a powerhouse of note and took names on defence, making a whopping 25 hits.
6: Marcell Coetzee (Bulls)
The Bulls captain set the tone, scoring his team’s opening try, and continued to lead by example. Consistently powered over the advantage line with strong carries and made a team-high 17 tackles. He edged Phepsi Buthelezi, who was at the peak of his powers in Cape Town but was replaced after 48th minutes.
5: Emile van Heerden (Sharks)
He was a towering nightmare for the Stormers in the lineout in one of his best games yet. He shut down an attacking opportunity in the final play of the first half and came up with a second steal in the set piece in the 58th minute. He also sacked Reinach to force a turnover.
4: Ruben Schoeman (Lions)
Both of the leading contenders mixed the good with the bad. Schoeman had a hand in Francke Horn’s first try and earned a vital maul turnover on his 5m line but was yellow-carded, while Jason Jenkins scored a try and immediately conceded one by botching the restart. Schoeman won out as he was more prolific around the park, making 15 tackles.
3: Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions)
The man mountain was huge, both at scrum time and in the tight loose. A human roadblock, he made no less than 17 tackles. He showed his toughness, too, by eating a high shot that earned Dewi Lake a yellow card.
2: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)
Central to the Bulls’ victory, his Man of the Match performance highlighted his class, motor and mongrel. Popped up everywhere with his red scrum cap, with 13 carries, 13 tackles, a try and a jackal just outside of his 22.
1: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
A strong contributor in all areas, Wessels was good in the scrum and even better in general play. Whereas Ntlabakanye was a titan in the trenches, Wessels’ mobility made him a roaming predator, who even saved the day when he caught a chip in-goal.