Currie Cup Team of the Week – Round 12

Rampaging Sharks flank Dylan Richardson made the biggest statement in Round 12 of the Currie Cup at the weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.  

A strong second-half performance saw the Sharks leave Welkom with a 35-9 win over the Griffons to go to the top of the log while the Lions scored a roaring 32-12 upset win over Western Province at Athlone Stadium to keep their playoff hopes alive in Friday’s fixtures. 

Saturday saw the Bulls stay in the hunt with a 24-17 victory over the Pumas in Nelspruit and the Cheetahs and Griquas play to a 29-all draw in Bloemfontein.

Scottish international Richardson is one of three Sharks in our Team of the Week. The Bulls have four representatives, the Lions three, the Cheetahs and Griquas two apiece and Western Province one. 

15: George Whitehead (Griquas)

Marshalled the game magnificently with his experience, composure and sound decision-making. Edged the tactical chess match with his booming boot, slotted two clutch long-range penalty goals and was rock solid on defence in a technical Man of the Match showing. 

14: Yaw Penxe (Sharks)

Worked his socks off. Chased tirelessly, ripped a vital turnover on his 5m line, scored shortly after halftime and flung Randy Fielies off him like a child. 

13: David Brits (Cheetahs)

A dual dynamo, showcasing strength and skill. Terrific chicken wing offload to create a try-scoring opportunity and added some vigorous counter-rucking.

12: Tertius Kruger (Griquas)

Highly influential on both sides of the ball. Sat down Friedle Olivier in the lead-up to Janco Uys’ try and won a clutch turnover in his 22 in the last two minutes. 

11: Edwill van der Merwe (Lions)

So lethal and such a joy to watch. Few opportunities but struck twice in a Man of the Match performance. Scored the first of his two tries in the opening minute and the second was a thing of beauty, an electrifying break from a lineout move.

10: Johan Goosen (Bulls)

Directed traffic well, got great distance with his corner kicks, scored a try and came up big with his goal-kicking, slotting four from four fora personal haul of 14 points.

9: Sanele Nohamba (Lions)

Played a pivotal role in the Lions’ crucial win, driving the team from scrumhalf and flyhalf, where he moved to in the final quarter. Scored 12 points off the tee, relieved pressure with good exit kicks and threatened on occasions with a few darting runs. 

8: Elrigh Louw (Bulls)

A force with ball in hand in the tight loose, covered acres of space on defence, mauled Devon Williams and wrestled his way to a turnover before limping off in the 68th minute.

7: Ruan Venter (Lions)

One of the cornerstones of the Lions’ excellent defensive effort, did exceptionally well to muscle and stretch his way over for a try in heavy traffic and conjured up the bonus point try in the final play of the game.  

6: Dylan Richardson (Sharks) – Player of the Week

Pure dynamite. Exploded over the advantage line all afternoon, broke a tackle before flicking a chicken wing offload to Mpilo Gumede to score, set up another try with a rampaging run, steamrolled Mitchell Carstens and smashed Fielies. Added two turnovers to take out the Man of the Match award. 

5: Ruan Nortje (Bulls)

All action in his Man of the Match display. Industrious ball carrier, busy tackler, brilliantly ripped a turnover and ran the lineout slickly.

4: Ockie Barnard (Sharks)

Provided the spark the Sharks needed, his charge down resulting in a try that woke the Durbanites up after 33 minutes and he was the king of the lineout, causing the Griffons all sorts of problems and poaching two of their throw-ins.

3: Lee-Marvin Mazibuko (Western Province)

Continued to impress as a scrummaging machine. Won four penalties in the set piece and spearheaded the unstoppable drive that earned Western Province a penalty try just before halftime.

2: Marnus van der Merwe (Cheetahs)

Marked his 50th game with a clinical performance. Accurate lineout throwing proved crucial with the Cheetahs having so much success with their driving maul and he scored a try.

1: Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Did great work at scrum time, winning three penalties, and added some good pick-and-goes in a strong 60-minute showing.