Rugby
SA URC Team of the Week – Round 17
Wings Ethan Hooker and Sebastian de Klerk shone on what was a good weekend for the South African sides in the United Rugby Championship, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
The Sharks kicked off the penultimate round of league action with a convincing 29-10 win over the Ospreys at Kings Park on Friday night.
The Bulls and Stormers followed suit on Saturday, with the Herd picking up a 45-21 win over Cardiff at Loftus Versfeld and the Capetonians crushing the Dragons 48-12 at DHL Stadium. The Lions couldn’t make it a South African clean sweep on Sunday, though, as they lost 32-19 to the Scarlets at Ellis Park.
The Bulls provide the bulk of our Team of the Week with eight representatives, four Stormers made the cut along with a trio of Sharks.
15: Willie le Roux (Bulls)
“The Assist King” was in his bag at Loftus, creating three scores, one for Canan Moodie and two for Sebastian de Klerk. Whether using his hands or educated boot, the veteran was the source of much misery for Cardiff.
14: Ethan Hooker (Sharks) – Player of the Week
A stellar Man of the Match showing by the Springbok in waiting. Chased extremely well, contested in the air even better and retained two box kicks. Got onto the scoreboard and made a brilliant try-saving tackle on Dewi Lake.
13: Wandisile Simelane (Stormers)
Got the Stormers off to the perfect start by activating his fancy footwork to waltz over for a try inside the opening two minutes and got his second in the final play of the game.
12: Damian Willemse (Stormers)
Had a blinder in his 100th appearance for the Stormers. Typically elusive, he beat no less than 10 defenders, scored a try in the second half after being denied one in the first and shifted seamlessly to No. 10, where he kicked two conversions and made a crucial tackle on Ashton Hewitt.
11: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls)
Winner of the fan vote for Man of the Match, De Klerk bagged a brace, made a team-high 102 metres, a try-saving tackle on Alun Lawrence and was great in the air.
10: Keagan Johannes (Bulls)
On for the injured Johan Goosen after 12 minutes and did a splendid job steering the ship. His pinpoint up-and-under resulted in a try for Moodie while he knocked over kicks left, right and centre to add 10 points to his team’s tally.
9: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)
An excellent performance, one he needed after struggling for form for a while. His box kicks were world-class and caused the Ospreys problems all evening, including creating a try for Hooker, while he had two try assists – for Jason Jenkins and Andre Esterhuizen.
8: Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)
A dynamic display that highlighted his next-generation skills. Made it look easy when he picked up from the back of the scrum and barged over, and was key to the Bulls’ continuity, making a match-high five offloads. Also led the Herd in successful carries (7) and defenders beaten (6).
7: Marcel Theunissen (Stormers)
The understated 25-year-old was omnipresent, producing at a great rate on both sides of the ball. Nearly scored a try in the first half and created one in the second with a brilliant break to come away with the Man of the Match award.
6: Marcell Coetzee (Bulls)
Continued taking names with his super strong carrying and led by example on the defensive end as well, making a match-high 15 tackles.
5: Jason Jenkins (Sharks)
Put in a big shift in his 50th URC game and enjoyed a few highlights, including scoring the opening try of the clash in Durban and making a great break in the 46th minute.
4: Salmaan Moerat (Stormers)
Continued his rich vein of form. Heavily involved from the kick-off and made a match-high 12 tackles, including a vital hit on Rhodri Williams. Unlucky to be bizarrely yellow-carded for a legitimate cleanout.
3: Wilco Louw (Bulls)
Dominant from the word go, his scrummaging brilliance earned the Bulls their first three points, and he powered over for their second try. Won four scrum penalties by the time his number was called.
2: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)
Showcased his full skillset. Good in the set pieces, sparked Harold Vorster’s try with an excellent chicken wing offload, sat down Johan Mulder and won a breakdown penalty.
1: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)
Such a gifted athlete. Strong in the scrum yet extremely mobile across the park, acting like a fourth loose forward with his work rate and jackalling prowess.