27 May 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld
SUPER RUGBY SA TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 15
The Stormers and Sharks claimed vital home victories in Round 15 of Super Rugby to bolster their play-off aspirations.
The Stormers were the most impressive of the South African sides as they secured a comfortable 34-22 win over the Highlanders, while the Sharks shot up to second in the South African Conference thanks to their 27-17 win over the Lions.
There were some good individual performances by Bulls forwards in Canberra, but the lack of a collective effort led to a 22-10 loss to the Brumbies.
? Who is your #SuperRugby Player of the Week?
— BET.co.za (@betcoza) May 27, 2019
Heavily involved from the back and ever-elusive, beating five defenders with speed and stepping, resulting in 12 carries for 41 metres. Brave on defence, where he made a try-saving tackle on Highlanders No.8 Elliot Dixon just after half-time.
Cornal Hendricks, Seabelo Senatla and Sbu Nkosi were all outstanding. In a very difficult decision, the ex-Blitzbok cracks the nod with his impersonation of a cat on a hot tin roof. Broke the line twice, one of which saw him put in Herschel Jantjies, and mere centimetres denied him two tries. Made all five of his tackles, whereas the other contenders slipped a couple, and won a turnover.
His best attacking display of the season. Boasts two South African round records, having beaten six would-be tacklers and made no less than four clean breaks. In 13 runs, he made a team-high 78 metres and crossed the whitewash. Had a major hand in the Lions’ second try and also kept Lukhanyo Am quiet.
Was an absolute beast in all departments and showed he’s added brains to brawn. Painfully predictable for so long, he kept the opposition guessing with creative kicks, one of which almost sparked a try. Ran with the ball in two hands, offloaded in contact and threw a brilliant bullet pass for Siya Kolisi to score a cracker. Ran for a South African round-record 117 metres in a whopping 19 carries while beating two defenders and making a line break. Also made a team-high 11 hits.
Dillyn Leyds is very unlucky to lose out as he was sublime for the Stormers. Mapimpi, though, played an even greater role in the Sharks’ win and deservedly won the Man of the Match award. His 95-metre intercept try was a key moment and a 14-point swing, essentially. His defensive display was world-class; he saved a certain try with one of his nine tackles on Mapoe in the 70th minute and won two turnovers.
Mapimpi has really improved under the high ball pic.twitter.com/hd7zCxRtYY
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 26, 2019