18 June 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

SUPER RUGBY SA TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 18

Champagne rugby and high drama saw the Bulls and Sharks qualify for the Super Rugby quarter-finals in the final round of regular season action at the weekend but it’s a fair spread of players in the Team of the Week,

In the first of the two do-or-die South African shootouts, the Sharks snuck through the back door with centre Lukhanyo Am scoring after the hooter to snatch a thrilling 12-9 win over the Stormers in Cape Town, before the Bulls hammered the Lions 48-27 in a high-quality clash in Pretoria to finish as the top-placed local team.

The Bulls (5) will take on the Hurricanes (4) in Wellington, while the Sharks (6) will battle the Brumbies (3) in Canberra for semi-final spots this Saturday.

Full of running. Joined the line expertly, racked up a South African round-record 134 metres with 11 runs, whilst beating three defenders.

The comeback story of the year reached a zenith at Loftus that’ll long be remembered. Sport, at its most powerful, inspires. It’s a vehicle for showcasing the triumph of the human spirit. Hendricks, in his first season back after a serious heart ailment threatened to end his career, has done that all year, but his performance on Saturday was truly special. He scored arguably the best solo try of the season, made three clean breaks, 63 metres and beat no less than seven defenders.

THAT try by @CornalHendricks for the @BlueBullsRugby vs @LionsRugbyCo is such a celebration of the fight the former #BlitzBokke speedster had to get back into top rugby after his illness!

Respect brother!@SuperRugby #BULv pic.twitter.com/yLspv250Gm

— IG: blitzbokke7s (@BlitzBokke) June 15, 2019

The match winner delivered when it mattered most, summing up the situation with a good step off the left foot to cut inside and through the Stormers defence to dot down and send the Sharks to the play-offs.

Burger Odendaal had a big game, but the impact Esterhuizen made as the Sharks’ midfield battering ram outweighed that of the Bulls No.12. The Bulls would’ve won without Odendaal. I’m not so sure that would’ve been the case for the Sharks without Esterhuizen’s brute force.

Thrived in the free-flowing game. Made two clean breaks, danced past two defenders and made 52 metres with seven runs. Put Odendaal in for a try with a good inside ball and was courageous on defence.

Pulled the strings superbly. Threw some beautiful cut-out balls, one of which set up Hendricks for his incredible score, bashed over for a try of his own and popped a classy offload to Manie Libbok for him to stroll over. Pinned the Lions in their 22 with a few touch finders in the second half and finished with an 18-point haul.

The veteran’s breakaway from a lineout was the highlight of Round 18 when it comes to South African scrumhalves making an impact.

The horse-power of the Sharks once again with a South African round-record 18 carries, which saw him steamroll four defenders and make 39 metres – impressive yardage considering the slow, static nature of the coastal clash. Also made all 10 of his tackles and won a turnover.

Was named Man of the Match after an incredibly industrious performance that saw him make 11 carries, 17 tackles, win a turnover and secure three lineouts.

Like a dog with a bone with ball-in-hand – making 53 metres, 17 runs, scoring a try and beating four defenders – and like a hungry pit bull at the breakdown, winning two turnovers in a Man of the Match performance.

Excellent in the lineout, where he poached a Lions throw five metres from his tryline and another just before half-time. Great hands and distribution and made solid carries and tackles (aside from the yellow card grass-cutter).

An absolute juggernaut in all departments. Got through a ton of work, making 13 carries and all 12 of his tackles.

Kept up with the frenetic pace of the game well, especially on defence, where he put himself in the perfect position to secure a turnover inside his 22 early on in addition to making nine tackles.

Took the fight to the Bulls with his strength and skill. Won three breakdown penalties, made nine hard hits and 11 strong carries, which included two line breaks and saw him bump off two tacklers.

Both he and Bulls try-scorer Lizo Gqoboka were busy around the park. The scrum battle was a key part of the error-strewn Cape Town clash and a non-factor in the frenetic Trans-Jukskei derby. It’s Kitshoff’s dominance in this department that saw
him crack the nod.

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