22 July 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 1
The Springboks got their Rugby Championship campaign off to the best possible start as they stormed to a 35-17 bonus- point win over the Wallabies at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, dodged a major bullet in Buenos Aires, where they did just enough to avoid a first-ever defeat to Los Pumas, edging the encounter 20-16.
As a result, Springbok stars make up the bulk of our Team of the Week.
In a word, class. Save as houses at the back, prominent on attack – making 52 metres from 10 runs – and beat opposite number Ben Smith in the air to score a great try.
Had a key hand in Herschel Jantjies’ first try, sprinting down the touchline before putting the scrumhalf away with a well-timed pass. Good finishing skills to score a try of his own and a great – and brave – scramble to pounce onto a kick and save a try.
Came into his own as a leader on top of having a standout showing. Was the Boks’ main backline ball-carrier (10), made a joint-team-high 14 tackles and secured a turnover on the deck.
Had a tit-for-tat battle with Ngani Laumape. Highly influential on attack (making 41 metres and 11 runs) and defence (making a team-high 12 tackles).
Yes, this is a curious choice considering he played at fullback, but none of the wingers did enough to earn a place in our team. The All Blacks veteran injected himself into the action and was elusive throughout, beating a round-record 10 would-be tacklers.
Stephen Larkham-like with his distribution as he put runners into gabs with a few beautiful balls, carved the Argentinians open with his acceleration off the mark and pure pace – making three clean breaks and beating seven defenders – and was reliable off the tee.
An obvious choice for Player of the Week, the Springbok scrumhalf stole the show with an electrifying performance at Ellis Park. Dangerous, ever-present, quick, clinical and confident, Jantjies had a dream debut, which he topped off with a terrific scrumhalf try after having scored his first international five-pointer in the first half.
5⃣4⃣ Running metres
0⃣1⃣ Defender beaten
0⃣1⃣ Clean break
5⃣1⃣ Passes
0⃣4⃣ Kicks
0⃣2⃣ Tries? Man of the match
Incredible debut from the young scrumhalf, Herschel Jantjies ? pic.twitter.com/PrCU7ZNtEy
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 20, 2019
Stat leaders after round one in the #RugbyChampionship ?
1⃣2⃣ Points – Bernard Foley ?
0⃣2⃣ Tries – Herschel Jantjies ?
1⃣4⃣ Tackles – Lood de Jager & Jesse Kriel ?
1⃣0⃣ Defenders beaten – Ben Smith ?
1⃣8⃣ Carries – Samu Kerevi ?
8⃣1⃣ Running metres – Samu Kerevi ? pic.twitter.com/XgCJg7MMxD— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 21, 2019