Highveld stars form the nucleus of our Rainbow Cup SA Team of the Week, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
The dance of the desperates that kicked off the third round of the competition turned out to be a thrilling rollercoaster ride at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.
Six of Jake White’s charges powered into our team, five Lions earned selection despite their heart-breaking loss, a trio of Stormers made the cut with a solitary Sharks star completing our side.
A number of Try of the Tournament contenders were scored and just when it looked like the Lions had it in the bag, the Stormers lived up to their name as they staged a flash fightback to break their duck with a dramatic 39-37 win.
Following a tense first half, the Bulls flexed their muscles in the top-of-the-table clash at Loftus, scoring 31 unanswered points as they smashed the Sharks 43-9 to soar to the summit at the halfway stage of the competition.
15: EW Viljoen (Lions)
Continued his impressive form with a complete performance. Dangerous every time he ran from the back, popped up at first receiver a few times to keep the Stormers guessing and showed good pace to finish off a wonderful try (time-stamped below). Courageous in the air and gained good field position when he put boot to ball.
14: Rabz Maxwane (Lions)
Showed great gas to canter in a long-range try that looked like the match-sealing score in the 75th minute. Did so much more, though. A thorn in the Stormers’ side with his exemplary kick-chasing and aerial abilities, regaining possession on a number of occasions, one of which created Viljoen’s fantastic try.
13: Wandisile Simelane (Lions)
At surface level, Dan du Plessis’ name was probably the first that came to mind for many casual fans with the Stormers centre having dotted down twice. However, his opposite number made a two-score contribution of his own, grabbing an intercept try and saving a certain try when he chased down Herschel Jantjies after he’d intercepted. On top of that, he was the more consistent threat and created opportunities for those around him with slick offloads.
12 Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
Hugely influential. Strong and skillful, the stalwart was both the strike runner and dynamic distributor in the Bulls backline, floating a beautiful pass for Stravino Jacobs to run onto and dot down on one occasion. Varied his play brilliantly and got stronger as the game went on to send another message to the Springbok brass. Burger Odendaal also impressed. The Lions captain was full of running, made a big early hit on Sergeal Petersen and won a turnover in his own 22.
11: Edwill van der Merwe (Stormers)
Great 80-minute effort and clutch in the most thrilling of ways. Made two plays that were pivotal to the Stormers’ smash-and-grab win, first scoring an electrifying solo try that saw him starch three defenders before brilliantly collecting a crosskick and keeping the ball alive with a lightning-quick offload, which led to Du Plessis’ second try.
10: Jordan Hendrikse (Lions) – Player of the Week
Morné Steyn was pure class. The master tactician bossed proceedings, didn’t put a foot wrong and racked up 19 points. It was another polished performance in a career full of them. However, given the nerves that come with the responsibility of starting in the No.10 jersey for the first time at senior level, we’ve gone with the Lions rookie as our flyhalf and Player of the Week (we’re sure Steyn won’t mind).
Hendrikse was a breath of fresh air who had the Lions looking like their old selves. The maturity the 19-year-old showed was as impressive as the exciting array of skills he exhibited to earn the Man of the Match award. Composed and confident enough to express himself, be it putting MJ Pelser away with a world-class offload, making a few darts or deft crosskicks. Good game management and scored a dozen points.
9: André Warner (Lions)
A game-breaker three times over. Great ingenuity, skill and determination to spark Pelser’s try with a brilliant chip-and-chase play. Troubled the Stormers throughout with pinpoint box kicking, which was what set Viljoen’s try in motion and snuck in for a five-pointer of his own from a metre out.
8: Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)
The Bulls’ captain fantastic was the iron fist of the pack that pummelled the Sharks into submission in the second half. The way in which he sent opposite number Sikhumbuzo Notshe flying summed up the hosts’ physical dominance. A tireless destroyer who stamped his authority on every aspect of the game.
7: Elrigh Louw (Bulls)
Vincent Tshituka was once again outstanding. A dynamic link between the forwards and backs, the prime example being the stunning offload that proved to be the pivotal pass in Viljoen’s try. That said, Louw took the opportunity with both hands when he was called upon to replace the injured Arno Botha in the 15th minute. A Bull in a China shop, he gained ample ground and smashed ball carriers in a barnstorming display.
6: Marcel Theunissen (Stormers)
Had a great back-and-forth battle with Pelser, who was a menace at the breakdown, a bashing ball-carrier who blasted poor Jantjies and scored a cracking try before conceding the penalty that lost it for the Lions. Theunissen was just as dynamic but, crucially, more clinical. A tornado of energy and athleticism encapsulated by his fleet-footed five-pointer.
5: Ruan Nortje (Bulls)
A pillar of strength in the lineouts and driving mauls and a workhorse across the park. Tough as nails, he copped a nasty blow from Siya Kolisi at a ruck, simply shook it off and stayed in the Sharks’ faces throughout, making an unrivalled 15 tackles. Opposite number Reniel Hugo also gave a good account of himself.
4: Ruben van Heerden (Sharks)
Nortje’s partner in crime Walt Steenkamp had a strong showing as well, which included an early driving maul turnover and an important lineout steal on his own 5m line in the 56th minute. However, Van Heerden outgrafted his direct opponent and the other contenders to the No.4 jersey (five carries and 13 tackles) while bringing much-needed grunt to the otherwise overpowered Sharks pack. Also managed to poach one on the Bulls’ throw-in in the ninth minute.
3: Trevor Nyakane (Bulls)
Not as eye-catching as fellow super-sub Lizo Gqoboka but played a big role in the Bulls seizing control of the contest in his own right. Brought the hurt with a couple of bone-rattling hits and was rock solid at scrum time. Carlu Sadie also deserves props for his strong performance, with the Lions tighthead standing firm and even winning a scrum penalty against the usually dominant Steven Kitshoff.
2: Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers)
Powerful and precise. Back on target with his lineout throwing and made some strong surges. Three Lions couldn’t stop him from scoring when he peeled off the back of a maul. Few players would’ve scored in that situation. Made some telling tackles, too, especially in his 22.
1: Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)
A beast off the bench! Broke the Sharks physically and mentally with brute force in the game-changing third quarter. Gored Thomas du Toit to win a scrum penalty in the 50th minute that effectively served as the first ‘knock down’ of the Bulls’ ‘TKO’ win, landed the second more severe blow when he roared over for the opening try minutes later and won another set-piece penalty in the 73rd minute.
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