Currie Cup Team of the Week

Boeta Chamberlain is our perfect 10 and MVP of the fifth round of the Currie Cup, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld. 

The Sharks flyhalf shot the lights out in Nelspruit on Friday night, landing eight from eight with his metronomic boot to guide the Durbanites to a 24-10 win over the Pumas. 

Saturday saw two blowouts as a star-studded Bulls side trampled Griquas 53-27 in Kimberley before the ruthless Cheetahs ripped the Lions to shreds in Bloemfontein, where a 66-14 rout saw them leapfrog the Sharks to the top of the table. 

Chamberlain is one of six Sharks in our Team of the Week. The Cheetahs have five representatives, a trio of Bulls made the cut along with a Kimberley diamond.

15: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls)

Mr Razzle Dazzle! Did Griquas dirty in their backyard with his speed, ball skills and hot-stepping. Created Cornal Hendricks and Walt Steenkamp’s tries with masterful manipulation of space and offloads. Left many would-be tacklers mesmerised.

14: Daniel Kasende (Cheetahs)

A lethal finisher and hard worker. Collected Robert Ebersohn’s perfectly-weighted grubber to get on the scoresheet early and doubled down by breaking Ginter Smuts’ ankles in a one-on-one situation and fending off a sweeping Banele Mthenjane for his second.

13: Stedman Gans (Bulls)

Elusive and energetic. Worked well in tandem with Hendricks, who he put away for his try, as well as fellow Blitzbok Arendse. Cheetahs veteran Ebersohn was an influential figure as well.

12: Zander du Plessis (Griquas)

Frans Steyn was pure class, but Griquas would’ve been cannon fodder without Du Plessis. The multi-skilled No 12 scored two of the Peacock Blues’ four tries, creating the second himself with a perfectly-timed pass and converting both.

11: Malcolm Jaer (Cheetahs)

Missed out initially but did very well minutes later to step and twist his way over in the corner. Like fellow flyer Kasende, he went looking for work and had some good touches.

10: Boeta Chamberlain (Sharks) – Player of the Week

Answered his critics with a show of class…a commanding, match-winning performance. Punished the Pumas for their indiscipline, scoring all 24 of the Sharks’ points in a flawless goal-kicking exhibition. Bossed the territorial battle and sprinkled spice in between in the forms of crosskicks and darting runs. An easy choice for Man of the Match and our Player of the Week.

9: Ruan Pienaar (Cheetahs)

It’s almost a cheat code to have a player with such vast experience pulling the strings against the cubs from Johannesburg. While the greenhorn visitors were playing checkers, the Springbok legend and Cheetahs captain was playing chess, the way he set up Gideon van der Merwe’s try being a perfect example of how he ran the show. Kicked five conversions to boot.

8: Mihlali Mosi (Cheetahs)

The most impressive part of his performance was the donkey work he put in. While he made some good carries, defended with vigour and was effective in the lineout, what caught the eye the most was his exceptional counter-rucking, which won the Cheetahs two turnovers, one of which resulted in Van der Merwe’s try.

7: Jeandre Rudolph (Cheetahs)

“A tireless workhorse” as Warren Brosnihan hailed him on commentary. In perpetual motion, making his presence felt everywhere and outworking everyone. An ultra-satisfying return from injury capped off by a well-earned try and rewarded with the Man of the Match award.

6: James Venter (Sharks)

A man possessed! Covered oceans of space at a tireless pace. Tackled everything that moved, including putting in a big hit on opposing skipper Willie Engelbrecht and double-legging the towering Malembe Mpofu. A nuisance at the breakdown, where he got stuck in with a turnover in the second minute and never relented.

5: Reniel Hugo (Sharks)

The wise man of the Sharks pack. The calmness, communication and direction he gave to the forward contingent were invaluable. Moreover, he popped up everywhere, read play like a centre and delivered some deft touches, particularly as the manspreading turnover ball wide quickly.

4: Le Roux Roets (Sharks)

A heavy-duty performance from the behemoth. Colossal in every facet, including the scrums, where his 138kg frame and force that comes with it played a big part in the Durbanites’ dominance. Poached a Pumas lineout in the 45th minute and consistently smashed over the gain line in an all-action 75-minute effort.

3: Wiehahn Herbst (Sharks)

Added veteran power and balance to the Sharks’ front-row. Played his part in the scrum demolition job and threw his weight around in general play. Robert Hunt can also be happy with the solid overall work he put in for the Bulls.

2: Bismarck du Plessis (Bulls)

The activated beast mode in Kimberley. A predator on the prowl, turning over the ball at the breakdown, the first of which led to the opening try and had a field day in open play, running with freedom and lobbing basketball passes left and right, one of which was a try assist for Walt Steenkamp. Got in on the try-scoring himself.

1: Dian Bleuler (Sharks)

Took his starting opportunity with both hands and then some. The iron fist of the dominant Sharks scrum, mercilessly goring Simon Raw. Forced four penalties out of the Pumas, none more beastly than when he shoved them off their ball in his 22 in the 49th minute.