SA United Rugby Championship Team of the Week – Round 5

The Capetonians broke new ground, beating Benetton in Treviso for the first time and keeping their place at the top of the log by running out 31-16 victors.

The Sharks saw off the Scarlets 29-19 at Kings Park to register their first win of the season, while the Lions made it back-to-back victories with a 49-31 triumph over previously unbeaten Ulster at Ellis Park.

The Bulls were the only South African team on the losing side in Round Five, with the men from Pretoria succumbing 21-12 to the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.

Our Team of the Week consists of six Sharks, five Bulls, two Stormers and two Lions.

15: Warrick Gelant (Stormers)

Willie le Roux showed his class, but Gelant played a key role in the Stormers’ win with his boot and delivered a jackal to edge out the Bok centurion.

14: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls)

Continued his rich vein of form with another fantastic showing. Created the Bulls’ opening try with a cracking counter-attack and their second with a piercing run and offload.

A winger masterclass 🏎️

Sebastian de Klerk with the break, Stravino Jacobs with the finish. Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby are off the mark 💥

📺 Watch all the action LIVE on SuperSport 🏉@Vodacom #URC | #GLAvBUL pic.twitter.com/ekuNiKJT8i

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 24, 2025

13: Henco van Wyk (Lions)

A dynamo dripping with desire. His work rate was outstanding and was highlighted by his run up to score in the 72nd minute and roaming defence.

12: Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)

A human bowling bowl as he knocked over would-be tacklers from start to finish to give the Sharks go-forward. He made a match-high 15 carries yet had defenders in two minds after his soft touch to unleash Manu Tshituka for his try.

11: Stravino Jacobs (Bulls)

“Rocket Man” burned Josh McKay with an early demonstration of his rapid acceleration off the mark, scored his team’s opening try and fielded a spiralling high bomb with a great over-the-shoulder take.

10: Jurie Matthee (Stormers) – Player of the Week

Not known for his attacking chops but he balled out, making a number of clean breaks and scoring a try. His kicking was on point as well, as he slotted two conversions and four penalties and produced a 50:22. Finished his Man of the Match performance with 21 points. 

Jurie Matthee flying high and finishing strong for @THESTORMERS! 💪

💥 A perfect dive to seal the try 🔥

📺 Watch all the action LIVE on SuperSport 🏉@Vodacom #URC | #BENvSTO pic.twitter.com/fBliQGfsXX

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 25, 2025

9: Grant Williams (Sharks)

Lethal from the get-go with his scintillating speed and playmaking prowess. Good vision and perfectly executed pass to put Vincent Tshituka in, made a few dangerous darting runs, accurate box kicking and good cover defending.

A moment of magic from Vincent Tshituka, simply spectacular!💪

📺 Watch all the action LIVE on SuperSport 🏉@Vodacom #URC | #SHAvSCA pic.twitter.com/sLGCwHQcTy

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 25, 2025

8: Manu Tshituka (Sharks)

Thrived in a rare appearance at No. 8. Showed his athleticism to waltz in for his try and saved one on the other end with a vital tackle on Sam Costelow in the 56th minute.

Sharp hands from the Hollywoodbets Sharks 🦈⚡

📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/XJPpIRpvGP

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 25, 2025

7: Vincent Tshituka (Sharks)

Joins his brother in our team after a tireless effort, which he kick-started by scoring the Durbanites’ first try.

6: Siya Kolisi (Sharks)

A solid hit-out by the Bok captain. His thrilling break set up the Sharks’ opening try and he scored their bonus point try.

5: Ruan Nortje (Bulls)

Revved his renowned motor in an all-action performance. Covered vast distances as he made 18 tackles and ran the lineout like clockwork.

4: Etienne Oosthuizen (Lions)

Bled for the cause in a powerful Man of the Match performance. A sledgehammer with ball in hand, he sat down Tom O’Toole in the 33rd minute and made a good break in the 50th, while he also won a clutch breakdown penalty on his 5m line.

3: Mornay Smith (Bulls)

Absolutely outstanding. Had Jamie Bhatti for dinner and Nathan McBeth for dessert at scrum time, forcing the latter to concede a yellow card, and showed his mobility by making no less than 21 tackles.

2: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)

Always energetic but played with an extra spring in his step following his Springbok recall. Was the Bulls’ top tackler with 23 hits, made good post-contact metres when he carried and was top-class in the set pieces.

1: Ox Nche (Sharks)

It was pure domination from “The Cake Boss”, not only in the scrums, but also with ball in hand. His carrying really stood out as he punched dents into the Scarlets’ defence with 11 hard hit-ups to come away with the Man of the Match award.