Currie Cup Team Of The Weekend

Western Province’s spirited triumph at Kings Park earned them the most representatives in our Currie Cup Team of the Week, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The Capetonians climbed a considerable mountain in the final match of the regular season in Durban on Saturday evening, stunning the second-placed Sharks 35-24 and collecting a full-house of log points to sneak into the semi-finals at the Pumas’ expense.

The Lowvelders kicked off the dramatic final round with a 13-all draw with Griquas in Kimberley, which was enough for the Peacock Blues to book their place in the play-offs, while the Bulls pipped the Cheetahs 39-36 in Pretoria to finish the league phase of the competition at the top of the table.

Province have been rewarded with four players in our side. The Bulls and Pumas each have a trio of representatives, a pair of Sharks and Cheetahs made the cut and a Griquas standout completes our team.

15: Cohen Jasper (Cheetahs)

The regular winger looked really good at fullback, causing all sorts of problems for the Bulls with more opportunities and time on the ball. Was the Bloemfontein team’s biggest danger man, orchestrating a try with a classy grubber in-goal for Duncan Saal to pounce on and dotted down one of his own.

14: Yaw Penxe (Sharks)

A predator of note, taking both of his opportunities to bag a brace. Crucially stayed out on his wing instead of cutting inside to take Phepsi Buthelezi’s pop pass and round off an excellent team try in the corner in the first half (time-stamped below) and showed off his speed to win the chase to Lionel Cronje’s chip to put the Sharks in the lead in the 70th minute.

13: Chris Hollis (Griquas)

Mightily impressive in midfield, where his size and strength make a more significant impact. Case in point, the all-important late try he scored (time-stamped below), which George Whitehead converted to secure the draw. Retained the work rate he had on the wing, coming within inches of a try-saving effort on Tapiwa Mafura in the corner, and won a turnover.

12: Dan du Plessis (Western Province)

In the thick of the action as he looked for work, which saw him score the opening try, and then showed some skill as he grubbered, ran around Henco Venter and re-gathered to score his second in the corner. Beat four defenders in all before he limped off in the second half.

11: Malcolm Jaer (Cheetahs)

Speaking of looking for work, the late try Jaer scored (time-stamped below) to give the Cheetahs a sniff of causing an upset both highlighted and rewarded the flyer for his hard grafting all game. Clearing the ball from a ruck on his wing, he circled around to get the ball from Saal, stepped David Kriel, took a double hit and somehow stayed in field as he twisted and dotted down in the opposite corner.

10: Johan Goosen (Bulls)

His class shone through once again, from his astute game management and distribution skills – like the bullet ball to Lionel Mapoe that created the opening try – to his accurate goal-kicking, which saw him contribute 14 points to the narrow win.

9: Paul de Wet (Western Province)

The driver of Province’s up-tempo heroics. Kick-started the chase with a quick tap and try-assist for Du Plessis in the opening 10 minutes, scored one himself early in the second half and kept his foot on the gas with fast, crisp service to scoop the Man of the Match award.

8: Elrigh Louw (Bulls)

A damn-near unstoppable force. This was a showcase of his strength and explosiveness. Reminiscent of a bull goring one matador after the other, he flung seven would-be tacklers aside, rushed for a joint team-high 31 metres from nine carries and stormed his way over for a try. Just as immense on defence, making an unrivalled 14 tackles.

7: Marcel Theunissen (Western Province)

Tireless. At night’s end, the Sharks would’ve been well fed up with the hard-working flank as he kept coming and coming with ball in hand. It’s no surprise he tops the final-round carry stats, as well as metres made by a forward – 46 from 14 surges. Also made five tackles and won a turnover.

6: Deon Fourie (Western Province)

The multi-talented veteran was massive at the breakdown, winning turnovers in crucial areas and moments of the match. Honey badger-like toughness and tenacity that made him Province’s second-most effective ball-carrying forward with 15 metres from six hit-ups, plus he put in good work on defence, making all eight of his tackles.

5: Pieter van Vuuren (Pumas)

Led by example, as he’s done all season. Set the tone for the Pumas’ lineout dominance with a steal in Griquas’ 22 in the sixth minute and kicked on from there, emptying the tank in open play. Brought brutal physicality to the gain line and rucks, trucked up the ball and had a 100% success rate on defence (seven tackles).

4: Shane Kirkwood (Pumas) – Player of the Week

Produced a towering Man of the Match performance. Excellent in the lineouts, where he won two on Griquas’ throw, one early on and the second inside the 22 that led to three points shortly after half-time. Beastly with ball in hand, making 10 carries and having a try disallowed for an earlier foot in touch, made a team-high 13 tackles and won a number of turnovers.

3: Khutha Mchunu (Sharks)

A massive effort from the mobile man-mountain, especially on defence. Made 10 tackles without slipping any and swarmed like a bear on a honeycomb to seize a turnover. So strong…charged for 18 metres from five carries and gave as good as he got in the scrums.

2: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)

Showed why he’s so highly rated by Jake White. The switch from prop to hooker will take time in terms of honing his lineout throwing, but his physicality is a serious plus. Delivered a domineering display that included strong carries, a big hit on Victor Sekekete and a brace of tries that earned him Man of the Match honours.

1: Morgan Naude (Pumas)

The tip of the Pumas’ spear at scrum time, where they ruled the roost in Kimberley. Got through a good amount of work in general play as well, contributing half-a-dozen tackles and even winning a turnover at the breakdown.

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.