Super Rugby Unlocked Team of the Week – Round 5

Curwin Bosch pulls the strings in our Super Rugby Unlocked Team of the Week after playing a starring role in the Sharks’ 19-13 victory over the Cheetahs on Friday night, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The clash at Kings Park kicked off Round Five and produced a third of our side, with four Sharks and one Cheetahs ace cracking the nod.

Rugby World XV – 2020

There are five Stormers in our line-up after the Cape outfit bounced back from their humiliating defeat at Loftus with a runaway 39-6 win over Griquas in Kimberley, which saw them move into second place on the log.

The final third of our team consists of stars who did battle in the brutal Jukskei Derby at Ellis Park, where the Bulls were pushed hard by the hosts but ultimately emerged 30-25 victors to strengthen their place at the summit.

15: Warrick Gelant (Stormers)

A strong contender for Player of the Week, ‘The Boogeyman” was Griquas’ worst nightmare. Prolific playmaking was on full display in his Man of the Match performance, creating two tries and many more openings with his vision, distribution and footwork. Kicked exceptionally well off both feet (he’s unrivalled in this regard) and made a crucial tackle on Bjorn Basson to boot. His numbers read 67 metres, four defenders beaten and a clean break in 15 runs.

14: Travis Ismaiel (Bulls)

Took his aerial skills to new heights, with two tremendous leaping takes, in particular, standing out. Has a leg up on most wings at 1.9m but it’s his work rate and athleticism that enabled him to make the most of his height advantage. The big Bulls winger was difficult to stop with ball in hand, making 27 metres while beating four defenders in as many runs and was physical on defence as well to scoop the Man of the Match award.

13: Wandisile Simelane (Lions)

Dan du Plessis pushed hard for a place in our side, running freely, making some slick passes and rounding off a terrific team try. However, Simelane sparked the Lions into life just as it looked like their traditional rivals were going to pull away with a sensational solo try that saw him cut up four Bulls with fantastic footwork. Beat an unheard of 10 defenders in all and led the Lions in metres made (76 in eight runs).

12: Marius Louw (Sharks)

Rikus Pretorius had a blinder, the likes of which would’ve usually seen him walk into our team. However, Louw put his body on the line like no other in a colossal show of toughness and determination. The Stormers would’ve had enough firepower to get past Griquas without Pretorius, but the same can’t be said of the Sharks and Louw, who deserves a ton of credit for his team’s triumph. Did an excellent job of provided go-forward, mostly from a standing start, with his explosiveness. A team-high 14 carries saw him make 32 metres, a clean break and beat four defenders. Was aggressive on defence as well.

Try of the season? ? Courtnall Skosan breaks the line and sets up Wandisile Simelane who beats four Vodacom Bulls defenders on his way to the line with some ridiculous sidestepping ?⚡️#SuperRugbyUnlocked pic.twitter.com/w3U89KoJ6G

— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) November 8, 2020

11: Angelo Davids (Stormers)

Had Griquas defenders looking like headless chickens with his dancing feet. His ankle-breaking antics was a joy to watch, the Blitzbok speedster beating a match-high six would-be tacklers, scoring a try and having a hand in another with his hot-stepping. Made three clean breaks and 85 metres in all in a dream debut.

10: Curwin Bosch (Sharks) – Player of the Week

The error-ridden nature of the Durban duel highlighted Bosch’s match-winning qualities as he controlled the game with the boot in his second successive Man of the Match performance. Hanging high balls caused the Cheetahs problems all night, got great distance with his line kicks, sparked opportunities with clever grubbers, created the Sharks’ only try with a pinpoint crosskick and was sensational off the tee, slotting all five of his shots at goal including two bangers from inside his half.

9: Paul de Wet (Stormers)

Made the most of the rare starting opportunity. Was a constant threat, piercing Griquas’ defence with dangerous darting runs on four occasions. One of those nearly resulted in a try after a hand-off and skilful offload to Damian Willemse. The perfect pop to Gelant to put the fullback into space, who linked up with Neethling Fouche for a five-pointer. Did the basics well.

Juarno Augustus (Stormers)

Pure power. Showed the men from Kimberley why he’s known as “Trokkie” with bruising, bulldozing runs all afternoon, which saw him make a match-high 87 metres. Showed skill as well, drawing two defenders and offloading on the ground to create the space that led to Du Plessis’ try. Scored a deserved try after an important early pass and good support play. Made all four of his tackles and secured a turnover.

Juarno Augustus v Griquas ?

8️⃣0️⃣ Minutes ⏰
0️⃣4️⃣ Tackles ?
0️⃣0️⃣ Missed tackles ✖️
0️⃣5️⃣ Passes ?
0️⃣2️⃣ Offloads ?
1️⃣0️⃣ Carries ?
0️⃣2️⃣ Defenders beaten ?
0️⃣1️⃣ Clean break ?
8️⃣7️⃣ Running metres⚡️
0️⃣1️⃣ Try ? #SuperRugbyUnlocked pic.twitter.com/sDkQXYuKuq

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 9, 2020

7: Henco Venter (Sharks)

Pipped Junior Pokomela in a great head-to-head captains battle. Led from the front in his first match as Sharks skipper, making pack-high carries (11, beating two defenders for 26 metres) and tackles (5). Threw an excellent long ball to send Jeremy Ward over (the try was disallowed on review for earlier obstruction), won a turnover on the deck and ruled the lineouts with a round-high nine takes.

6: Andisa Ntsila (Cheetahs)

Was the Cheetahs’ cleaner, mopping up two dangerous predicaments, first winning a breakdown penalty and then ripping the ball in a maul, both five metres out from his tryline. Brought endless energy, executing a joint-round-high 10 tackles (along with teammate Luan de Bruin and the next man in our team) and took the ball up strongly.

5: Marvin Orie (Lions)

Hyron Andrews did a great job disrupting Griquas’ lineout, stealing a ball in his 22. Outwitted the towering JP du Preez, who at 2.09m is the tallest player in South Africa. Orie was influential in the lineouts against the Bulls as well, offering a steal and safe hands, and outworked his closest rival in open play, where he produced a joint-round-high tackle count (see above) without slipping one.

4: Jason Jenkins (Bulls)

Stormers rookie David Meihuizen had a good game in Kimberley, where his lineout steal led to the opening try, but Jenkins continues to be the gold standard at No.4. The red-hot Bulls lock made an important steal of his own, on his line, and was the main source of ball in the set-piece with seven takes. Physical and productive, his eight carries was second only (team-wise) to captain Duane Vermeulen’s nine, while he also made six hard hits.

3: Neethling Fouche (Stormers)

Carlu Sadie continued his scrum dominance, popping the Bulls and winning two penalties, the first of which saw the Lions open the scoring. With more eyes on the Jukskei Derby, many would opt for the Lions tighthead but young Fouche was just as destructive against Griquas, winning two scrum penalties of his own. Made strong carries (gaining 15 metres in four charges), scored a try, had some deft touches and made five tackles, second only (team-wise) to Marcel Theunissen’s six.

2: Jaco Visagie (Lions)

Looked like he had some extra fire against his former team. Anchored a scrum that dominated for the most part and was heavily involved in open play, outworking opposite number Jaco van Zyl. Made five carries and an impressive seven tackles.

1: Ox Nche (Sharks)

Another week, another strong showing by the Sharks prop, who’s pushing hard for a Springbok recall ahead of the 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour. Dominated the scrum battle early on, winning many penalties including on his 5m line to alleviate pressure. Hard to stop with his trademark low power drives and produced a beautiful tackle/turnover combination. Shaded Sti Sithole, who was beastly at scrum time.