Currie Cup Team of the Week – Round 3

Tim Swiel spearheads our Currie Cup Team of the Week following his match-winning performance in the pulsating Coastal Derby, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld. 

The Western Province pivot was imperious as he booted his team to a thrilling 32-31 win over the Sharks in their first match at their new home ground of Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday. The action moved to Nelspruit on Friday, where the Pumas picked up a hard-fought 26-22 win over Griquas.

The Cheetahs and Bulls were meant to kick-off Round Three but the battle in Bloemfontein was cancelled due to positive Covid cases in the Cheetahs camp. As a result, 11 players who featured in the Cape Town cliffhanger made our team with a quartet of standouts in the Lowveld fixture rounding off our side.

15: Manie Libbok (Sharks)

An impact player on both sides of the ball. Injected bolts of speed and flair into the Sharks attack every time he touched the ball, the pick of his seven surges being the excellent line break just before half-time. Did really well to tie up Edwill van der Merwe when he ran onto a chip by Rikus Pretorius and looked on his way to scoring a try that would’ve sealed the deal with eight minutes to go.

14: Werner Kok (Sharks)

Complete commitment. Is there anyone more switched on for the entire time he’s on the field? Case in point, Cornel Smit looked in for all money, but Kok’s determination saw the Province centre spill the pill just before he could dot down. 

13: Jeremy Ward (Sharks)

Known to lead by example and this was no exception as he took over the captaincy from the injured Phepsi Buthelezi. Made a few good carries but it was the impact he made on defence that really inspired his troops, particularly, swooping up in support of Libbok and dislodging the ball from Van der Merwe’s grasp.  

12: Matt Moore (Pumas)

A strong showing by the Pumas centre. The former Western Province player was too much to handle early on when he broke two tackles to score the first try and a handful throughout. 

11: Thaakir Abrahams (Sharks)

Simply sensational! Turned a sticky situation into a breath-taking coast-to-coast try with a majesty run past and through five defenders before he handed the ball to Jaden Hendrikse to round off. Created a try-scoring opportunity earlier on when he snatched a turnover and also won a pressure-relieving penalty inside his own 22 near the hour-mark.

10: Tim Swiel (Western Province) – Player of the Week

The hero for the hosts, slotting all eight of his kicks at goal in the swirling wind, including the game-winner in the 77th minute, for a personal tally of 22 points to pick up the Man of the Match award.

9: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)

Another week, another super showing by the Sharks scrumhalf. Alert, dangerous and ever-present, he bagged two of his team’s four tries, first piercing the ball through the committed defence from a metre out and then finishing off the aforementioned play of the weekend.

8: Evan Roos (Western Province)

His barnstorming try straight after half-time summed up how unstoppable he’s been, with the rampaging No.8 dragging Hendrikse all of 22 metres as he monstered his way over for a mightily impressive solo score. A demon on defence as well, seizing a textbook breakdown penalty in the 20th minute and making 13 tackles.

7: Thembelani Bholi (Sharks)

So strong with ball in hand and had staying power as he trucked up a match-high 14 carries, often making metres in seemingly impossible situations. Busted through a couple of tackles and powered over for the Sharks’ opening try in a second big showing in a row. 

6: Ruan Steenkamp (Griquas)

Returned with a bang did Griquas’ captain. Brings a different dimension to the team. Was their most productive ball-carrying forward despite giving up a fair amount of size, using his speed and leg drive to gain ground, and was a menace at the breakdown. 

5: David Meihuizen (Western Province)

Once again impressed with his world-class work rate, making a dozen tackles and three carries in an all-action outing. Pieter Jansen van Vuren also stood out, the Pumas skipper giving his all and leading his troops with aplomb.

4: Ruben van Heerden (Sharks)

Had an absolute field day in the lineouts. Such was his mastery that Province seemingly ran out of ideas while under-fire hooker Reinach Venter threw a couple of howlers. Solid work rate with nine carries five tackles and a turnover. Opposite number Ernst van Rhyn put in a big defensive shift with a match-high 16 hits.

3: Neethling Fouché (Western Province)

Thrived in open play and gave as good as he got in a big scrum battle with Khwezi Mona. Unmatched mobility and output, particularly on defence, where he put in 10 punishing hits.  

2: Simon Westraadt (Pumas)

The veteran played a pivotal role in the Pumas’ win, shining in the set pieces and scoring two of their three tries in a Man of the Match performance. Fez Mbatha, meanwhile, was loose forward-like on the ground – where he produced a memorable jackal – and refused to be denied when he forced his way over despite having two Province players in his path, with Van Heerden offering valuable support. 

1: Dewald Maritz (Pumas)

The Pumas pack laid the foundation for the win with Maritz making a big impact at scrum time, winning a number of penalties. Put in good work across the park as well, busting tackles with ball in hand (five carries) and making half-a-dozen hits. 

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.