24 June 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

SUPER RUGBY SA TEAM OF THE WEEK – QUARTERFINALS

Contrasting performances yielded the same outcome for the Bulls and Sharks as they crashed out of the Super Rugby quarter-finals on Saturday.

The Bulls showed a ton of heart to push the Hurricanes close, succumbing 35-28 in Wellington, while the Sharks were far less defiant in their 38-13 defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra.

As a result, South Africa will be sans a side in the semi-finals for just the second time in 17 years. Unsurprisingly, Bulls players dominate our Team of the Week, however, some of the more determined Sharks managed to make the cut.

Blitzed Beauden Barrett, which few players in the world have the pace to pull off. He also finished brilliantly in contact to score the Bulls’ opening try. Made a South African round-record 82 metres and used his boot to great effect, an excellent touch finder just after the break being the pick of the bunch.

The veteran flyer was the obvious South African standout in the quarter-finals. He scored two sublime tries to keep the Bulls in the game. How he managed to score the first, with precious little room and two defenders in front of them, was mind-blowing. A perfect way to put an exclamation point on a strong late push for a Springbok recall.

The Cornal Hendricks comeback is right up there with the best of them. Not many wingers in SA could’ve pulled that try off.

The antithesis of a nano-back

— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) June 22, 2019

A classy comeback from injury started with a perfect pass to Gelant for the fullback’s try. Made seven runs, a clean break and 19 metres whilst eluding two tacklers. That said, defence was the point of difference between him and Lukhanyo Am. Kriel made all nine of his hits while the Sharks midfielder missed three of the four tackles he attempted.

Carried the Sharks on his back. Always a key ball-carrier, he had to pull double duty after fellow battering ram Dan du Preez limped off in the 15th minute. As a result, he made a whopping 16 carries, three clean breaks, 53 metres, beat three defenders and scored his side’s only try.

The next-best flyer at the weekend, so he shifts to the left wing. Power, pace and explosive acceleration off the mark allowed him to make a clean break, beat two defenders and pick up 42 metres from 10 runs.

A costly, uncharacteristic error aside, the Bulls captain had a solid swansong. His distribution was outstanding, the crosskick to Hendricks for the wing’s second try was a thing of beauty, his goal-kicking was flawless and he was a rock on defence.

Quick to the rucks, crisp with his service and kicked well from the base. Good off the ball, where he made six sweeping tackles and covered attacking kicks.

Delivered one final fiery performance for the Bulls. Took the fight to the ‘Canes and was a beast on defence with a team-high 10 tackles and two turnovers. The last of which came inside the Bulls’ 22 with four minutes to go to, which gave them a chance of levelling the scores.

Another overseas-bound star who can be pleased with his Bulls farewell. Effective with ball-in-hand, making 23 metres
with five carries, and workmanlike on defence with nine tackles.

The smallest member of the big Bulls pack made the most ground (31 metres from nine runs) through dogged determination, with a good early break standing out. The highlight of his performance was the turnover he won in the ‘Canes’ 22, from where the Bulls were eventually awarded a penalty try.

An ultra-industrious outing, which saw the world-class lock make a team-high 12 carries, nine tackles (second only to Vermeulen) and command the lineout with seven takes.

Was the best and busiest Sharks defender, making all 12 of his tackles – a team-high by some margin. Also showed genuine toughness to shake off a couple of huge double tackles and keep charging at the Brumbies. Hit the ball up 13 times, brushing off two tacklers and making 23 metres.

Nothing to write home about, to be honest, but he held up his end of the scrum. Coenie Oosthuizen, in contrast, was mauled at the set-piece and found himself chasing shadows on defence.

He’s been mightily impressive since coming into the starting line-up for the injured Akker van der Merwe, and that was the case once again in Canberra. Played with a burning desire, made a dozen determined carries, tackled well and was reliable with his lineout throws.

Solid in all departments, and especially effective on defence – where he made all six of his tackles – to cap off a sterling season.

Raghavan Venugopal / © www.Photosport.nz 2019

BET: Super Rugby 2019

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.