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

With Michael Hooper leading the Wallabies, Bok fans feared their side would be found wanting at the breakdown. Louw stepped up in a big way and turned that potential weakness into a strength with telling turnovers, such as the one that led to his team’s opening try. Shades Ardie Savea, who had a big game for the All Blacks.

A freakish return after a lengthy spell on the sideline through injury. A predator around the park, both with and without the ball, running and hitting hard. Also showed a lesser-seen skill when he chipped into space for Jantjies, who was stopped inches short of the tryline.

Led by example with 11 carries, nine tackles and won a turnover. What the stats don’t show was the fire he brought to the side, which inspired those around him.

Another fit-again Bok who returned with a bang. Showed no signs of rust and clearly kept up his conditioning as he (along with Kriel) made a round-high 14 tackles, powered his way over for a try and was the main lineout target.

The toughest choice of the round as the Argentinian, Brodie Retallick and Eben Etzebeth were all outstanding. Petti cracked the nod for his sterling all-round contribution, which saw him win seven lineouts, poach two on the All Blacks’ throw and make 10 tackles.

Always has a smile on his face but had reason to on Saturday, with a strong scrummaging performance and a busy defensive outing.

Another senior player who stood up and played an important leadership role for Los Pumas on top of being clinical in the set pieces.

Beast mode was fully activated against the Aussies. A special performance after a lengthy injury lay-off, he made barn-storming runs, showed good hands as one of the links in Jantjies’ first try and dominated at scrum time, winning two powerful penalties.

MORE RUGBY

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.