SA United Rugby Championship Team of the Week – Round 11

Brilliant back-rowers headline our South African United Rugby Championship Team of the Week, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld. 

The Sharks and Stormers finished the year on a high on Saturday, the men from Durban powering to a 47-20 win over the Bulls at Kings Park and the Capetonians roaring to a 40-8 victory over the Lions at DHL Stadium.

Making up our team are nine Sharks, five Stormers and a lone Lions star. 

15: Damian Willemse (Stormers)

Such an influential figure. Sold a dummy to open the scoring, played teammates into space, made a try-saving tackle on Edwill van der Merwe and ruled the skies.

Damian Willemse droppin' a filthy #NewYearsEve dummy 🤩@Vodacom #URC | #STOvLIO | @TheStormers pic.twitter.com/MMQMCD9A4C

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) December 31, 2022

14: Angelo Davids (Stormers)

Recovered from a horror first half to score two second-half tries, busting out a good step to score the second. 

13: Suleiman Hartzenberg (Stormers)

The 19-year-old put on a defensive clinic that included huge hits on Pieter Jansen van Vuren and Manie Rass and saving a try by defusing a hack-ahead. 

12: Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sharks)

Full of hustle and bustle. Broke tackles (two clean breaks), made the most successful carries (8) and metres (71), bagged a brace and won a vital breakdown penalty in his 22 when the Bulls were in the ascendency. 

It's great hands and another try for the Cell C @SharksRugby 🦈#SHAvBUL | @Vodacom #URC | #UnitedWeRise pic.twitter.com/Y2j4Oc3uCB

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) December 31, 2022

11: Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)

Had little room for the most part but refused to die with the ball – an excellent example for young wingers. As a result, he beat a joint-match-high three defenders. 

10: Curwin Bosch (Sharks)

A polished all-around performance. Great distribution, booming kicks out of hand and excellent off the tee, slotting eight out of nine to finish with a personal haul of 20 points. 

9: Grant Williams (Sharks)

A constant thorn in the Bulls’ side. Pushed the pace with quick tap kicks and dangerous darts, used his dancing feet to score a great try and won a turnover through great pressure at the back of a scrum.

8: Hacjivah Dayimani (Stormers)

A dazzling baller. Skinned the Lions in the wider channels with his special speed and skill, delivering two try assists for Davids, the first a thing of beauty as he broke away and popped a no-look pass to the winger, and deserved Man of the Match. 

Ending 2022 in absolute carnage 😍@Vodacom #URC | #STOvLIO | @TheStormers pic.twitter.com/vVy8xb7lks

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) December 31, 2022

7: Deon Fourie (Stormers)

A machine. Reminded of the old Hungry Hippos game with the way he feasted at the breakdown. Full of energy and mongrel and got onto the scoresheet. Shifted to No 7 to make space for…

6: Siya Kolisi (Sharks)

At his brilliant best. Never let up, from making an early try-saving intervention (one of a team-high nine tackles) to running rampant, Kolisi produced a colossal 80-minute Man of the Match performance. 

5: Pieter Jansen van Vuren (Lions)

The lineout was the one area the Lions had success and it was thanks to Jansen van Vuren, who picked off a few Stormers balls. A tireless workhorse as well and was particularly relentless at the rucks. 

4: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks)

Stamped his authority on the game early and was a force throughout. Led the physical onslaught that bulldozed the Bulls and did the donkey work in the rucks and mauls.

3: Thomas du Toit (Sharks)

Huge in every aspect. Won a breakdown penalty in the 26th minute that earned his team three points, carried strong, released a great offload and spearheaded the dominant scrum. 

2: Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks)

Pure dynamite. Explosive ball carrier, tackler, scrummager and cleaner. Clinical with his lineout throwing, took the quick tap that led to the penalty try and scored from the back of a driving maul.

1: Ox Nche (Sharks)

Feasted at scrum time and got through a ton of work in general play. Also displayed his impressive passing skills.