The Lions were lethal as they pulled off a 43-33 upset against the Bulls in Pretoria, while the Stormers overturned a 15-point halftime deficit to triumph 27-21 over Munster in their top-of-the-table clash in Limerick.
There was no such away success for the Sharks, though, as they crashed to a 44-17 defeat to Connacht in Galway.
Making up our South African Team of the Week are seven Lions, five Stormers, two Bulls and one Sharks standout.
15: Quan Horn (Lions)
Had a blinder while Willie le Roux was having a mare. His tactical kicking, which included a classy 50:22, was top-class, he had a hand in Nico Steyn’s first try and produced a clever and perfectly weighted grubber for Jarod Cairns to collect and score.
14: Kelly Mpeku (Lions)
Great pace to win the race to a kick-through and hands to pick up at full tilt and score, won a breakdown penalty in the 26th minute, sliced through in the 65th minute, and went beast mode to put Steyn in for his second.
13: Ruhan Nel (Stormers)
Full of hustle all game and red play like a book to intercept Jack Crowley’s try and run in the match-winning try in the 72nd minute. Played at inside centre but usually wears the No. 13 jersey, which is where we’ve picked him to incorporate both him and…
12: Bronson Mills (Lions)
The youngster made a big impression in the Lions midfield. Carried hard and over the gainline, and showed his vision and kicking game with a majestic 50:22 in the 51st minute.
11: Stravino Jacobs (Bulls)
So strong and explosive, he sat down Cairns on one occasion and made metres every time he touched the ball. Good speed to break the line on the opposite side of the field from a sweeping set play move and put Embrose Papier in for his second try and beautiful break and try assist for Sebastian de Klerk with two minutes to go.
10: Chris Smith (Lions)
Well and truly stuck it to his former team. Caught the Bulls by surprise with his superb break that set up Steyn’s first five-pointer, won the tactical kicking battle hands down, and went 6/8 off the tee (13 points), with the ball falling over prior to one of his misses.
9: Nico Steyn (Lions)
Papier won the fan vote for the Man of the Match award for his first-half brace, and while good, he wasn’t even the best scrumhalf on the park, with respect. Steyn also dotted down twice – once in each half – and was generally more clinical than his rival.
8: Manu Tshituka (Sharks)
Good on both sides of the ball, Tshituka made impressive post-contact metres and had a busy defensive shift, making 14 hits, including a try-saving tackle on Shayne Bolton. A shame he got knocked out for his efforts in the 57th minute.
7: Jarod Cairns (Lions)
Smashed back JJ Theron despite the Bulls No. 8 having had a long run up, which led to a penalty and the Lions’ first three points. Scored a try just before halftime and remained impactful in the second 40. Like Nel, we’ve shifted him to No. 7 as both he and the next man deserved selection.
6: Paul de Villiers (Stormers)
The epitome of a workhorse. Outstanding in all departments, popped up everywhere, made an unrivalled 20 tackles and claimed the Man of the Match award.
5: JD Schickerling (Stormers)
A part of the Stormers Bomb Squad who powered the famous fightback effort. Strong and mobile, he came agonisingly close to scoring and reinforced the lineout and scrum.
4: Etienne Oosthuizen (Lions) – Player of the Week
Ultra-industrious from the word go, the Lions lock should’ve walked away with the Man of the Match honours. He did both the donkey work and came up with the big plays. His beautiful jackal resulted in Steyn’s first try, while his clutch turnover on his 5m line in the 50th minute turned out to be a 14-point swing as he scored a hard-earned try two minutes later.
3: Sazi Sandi (Stormers)
The Stormers’ scrum dominance played a central role in their epic comeback win. Neethling Fouche and Vernon Matongo softened up Munster in the first half, and Sandi and Oli Kebble landed knockdown after knockdown in the second 40.
2: Akker van der Merwe (Bulls)
“The Angry Warthog” was his abrasive and workmanlike self. He made eight carries with his typically strong leg drive and scored one of the Bulls’ tries.
Oli Kebble (Stormers)
See Sandi summary.
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