17 February 2020, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld
SA Super Rugby Team of the Week – Round 3
After Saturday’s humdinger on the Highveld, Stormers and Lions stars all but make up our South African Super Rugby Team of the Week, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
The Stormers needed a dramatic score in the final play of the game to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, Ruhan Nel’s try seeing the visitors pip the spirited Lions 33-30 in Johannesburg to maintain their unbeaten run. Much like the thrilling derby, little separated the sides when it came to selection time. Ultimately, eight Stormers and six Lions earned places in our team.
Earlier in the day, the Sharks suffered a slew of injuries and their first defeat of the season, going down 38-22 against the Hurricanes in Wellington. A handful of the gallant Durbanites pushed hard for places in our side, but only one made the cut in the end, while the Bulls had a bye.
ALSO READ: SA SUPER RUGBY TEAM – ROUND 2
The first example of the difficult decisions we were left with. Aphelele Fassi was one of the standout Sharks players at the Cake Tin, racking up a South African round-record 135 metres and eluding eight defenders in 12 runs. Defensively, however, he had an off day and was a key culprit in two of the five tries the coastal team conceded. Coetzee turned in terrific numbers as well – beating an unrivalled 10 tacklers, running for 54 metres and scoring a try while looking for work in nine carries – but more than that, he stepped up as the senior player the young Lions need this season.
Came alive in the second half as Springbok as Stormers great Jean de Villiers said on commentary. In a game that could’ve gone either way, he was the catalyst for 10 of the Stormers’ points. Created and finished a try straight after half-time and showed great composure to run onto a tricky floating pass and pop the pill to Nel in contact for the match-winning try.
Anyone of Nel, Manie Rass or Lukhanyo Am could’ve made the cut. Lions rookie Rass put himself on the map, not only when he waltzed through to create what looked like the decisive try for his centre partner, but as a defensive wall as well, making all 12 of his tackles. Sharks skipper Am provided the early impetus for his team when he intercepted in his 22 and put Madosh Tambwe away for the Durbanites’ first try, and defended well as always. Nel was excellent on attack and defence; he was unpredictable, made a few breaks with some slick footwork and made all five of his tackles. THAT match-winning try at the death tipped the scales in his favour.
Here is that dramatic late try in the 82nd minute by Ruhan Nel that saw the @THESTORMERS steal a victory against the @LionsRugbyCo for the first time since 2015 at Emirates Airline Park ??#SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/3cHL7t95vG
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) February 15, 2020
Proved a point against his former franchise. Married intelligence with intensity in terms of his running lines and, more importantly, targeting the ball on defence to shutdown offloads. Had limited opportunities on attack but showed glimpses of his skill and power with some deft touches, beating two defenders and hammering down what looked like the game-sealing try. Shaded André Esterhuizen, who looked like a bull in a China shop.
Taking the one opportunity he had – collecting captain Elton Jantjies’ crosskick and darting over for a scintillating try – and keeping mistakes to a minimum (missing just one tackle) saw Skosan crack the nod. Jeremy Ward tried his best out of position after coming on for the injured Makazole Mapimpi, while Seabelo Senatla made some schoolboy errors, particularly early on.
Saturday showed yet again that when Jantjies fires, the Lions fire. The veteran was in vintage form and nearly led his team to a massive upset. The pivot was at his play-making best and his decision-making was magnificent. Great identification of space and execution of his kick pass to Skosan and a clever chip from deep inside his half to almost spark another try. Played flat, constantly challenged defenders and sliced clean through with a scintillating sprint. His goal-kicking was good – especially the clutch long-range effort with two minutes to go – his kicking out of hand was great and he was strong defensively, most notably making a spot tackle on Godlen Masimla to force a knock-on.
Elton Jantjies level of understanding where space vs Damian Willemse understanding of the subject is completely on a different level. DW will learn and he will.
I just loved the Elton play today.
— Rágnár Ván Töndérsön (@Slipcatch) February 15, 2020