Rugby
SA United Rugby Championship Team of the Week – Round 3
Evan Roos revved his engine as the Stormers flew the South African flag in the third round of the United Rugby Championship at the weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
It was always going to be a tough round for the local teams with all four having overseas assignments, and the Capetonians emerged as the only victors, starting their tour with a dominant 34-0 win over the Scarlets in Llanelli on Friday evening.
On Saturday, the Lions and the Sharks were unable to snap their winless streaks, with the Pride falling 41-15 to Benetton in Treviso and the Durbanites going down 31-5 to defending champions Leinster in Dublin, while the Bulls suffered their first loss of the campaign in Belfast, where Ulster prevailed 28-7.
Our local Team of the Week consists of seven Stormers, five Bulls, two Lions and one Sharks standout.
15: Damian Willemse (Stormers)
Beat a few defenders, assured under the high ball, won a breakdown penalty in the 56th minute and kicked a conversion.
14: Ethan Hooker (Sharks)
Touches of class, none better than his full-length intercept and canter in to break the Sharks’ duck, won most of the physical battles with James Lowe, good in the air and made a vital tackle on Fintan Gunne.
13: Henco van Wyk (Lions)
Such a competitor, his fight for every inch on both sides of the ball stuck out in the otherwise lacklustre Lions backline. Broke tackles, good grubbers and forced turnovers with his strong defence.
12: Harold Vorster (Bulls)
By no means set the world alight but was more clinical than his competition, each of whom made errors and conceded penalties (with Rynhard Jonker also yellow-carded). Ran a good 20 metres to tackle Nick Timoney.
11: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls)
A livewire on attack, who threatened every time he touched the ball, starting with a great line break in the 14th minute. Looked for work and made a wonderful try-saving tackle on Jacob Stockdale with two minutes to go. We had to reward both him and Hooker, hence his move to left wing.
10: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
It wasn’t the show-stealing showing many had hoped for but he was still easily the best of the local flyhalves. Scored 12 points, including the bonus point try, made a thrilling break and bravely stuck his head into a ruck to win a penalty.
9: Stefan Ungerer (Stormers)
In another underwhelming round from the South African scrumhalves, Ungerer earned selection for the role he played in helping control things for the Stormers.
8: Evan Roos (Stormers) – Player of the Week
A bit hot-headed but his explosiveness was on full display. Bumped off defenders, scored the Capetonians’ opening try and was a constant presence on the front line and at the rucks to earn the Man of the Match award.
7: Mpilo Gumede (Bulls)
Ruan Venter was relentless on the carry but lost the ball in contact on one occasion, which resulted in a turnover try. Gumede punched it up well and was everywhere on defence, making 10 tackles and producing a vital intercept near his tryline.
6: JC Pretorius (Lions)
Made a massive impact in his first game of the season. Nothing short of brilliant at the breakdown, where he won a number of turnovers. Lively on attack, where he had a hand in Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s try, and busy on defence.
5: Ruben van Heerden (Stormers)
Ever the hard grafter, Van Heerden got through a lot of donkey work that would’ve gone unnoticed by many. Capped his performance by scoring the Stormers’ third try.
4: Cobus Wiese (Bulls)
A ferocious workhorse, Wiese led the Bulls in carries (11) and was also up there on defence (9 tackles). A powerhouse in the tight loose and made a good breakaway in the 33rd minute.
3: Sazi Sandi (Stormers)
Played with a hunger that hit you through the screen. Part of a dominant scrum and made a joint-team-high 12 tackles before limping off with an injury.
2: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)
Power, precision and output earned the Bulls captain our No. 2 jersey. Quality all-round performance, which included eight tackles and a turnover.
1: Ali Vermaak (Stormers)
Given Vernon Matongo’s standout performances in the first two weeks, many felt John Dobson’s decision to start Vermaak was risky but the veteran delivered, obliterating the Scarlets at scrum time, making dominant hits and having soft hands on attack.