SA EPCR Challenge Cup Team of the Week – Round of 16

The men from Pretoria powered to a 32-22 win over Bayonne at Stade Jean Dauger to keep their title aspirations alive, while the Round of 16 marked the end of the road for the Lions and the Sharks.

A poor start led to the Pride suffering a 24-12 loss to Edinburgh in the Scottish capital, while the Durbanites’ historic reign fizzled out as an understrength team fell 34-21 to Lyon at Matmut Stadium.

Nine Bulls, three Lions and three Sharks make up our side.

15: Devon Williams (Bulls)

Sublime line, injection of pace and pass to put Sergeal Petersen over for the opening try. Combined particularly well with the winger and David Kriel. Also kicked well out of hand.

14: Sergeal Petersen (Bulls)

Very influential. Scored the opening try, continued to threaten on attack and won an impressive breakdown turnover on his 22 in the 30th minute. 

https://twitter.com/ChallengeCup_/status/1908490592708866258

13: David Kriel (Bulls)

Ran hard all game, scored a nice try just after halftime, executed nifty offloads, made good defensive reads, smashed Baptiste Germain and made a try-saving tackle on Aurelien Callandret.

https://twitter.com/SSRugby/status/1908511528862515333

12: Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)

Offered power, go-forward, experience and leadership to a young Sharks side. Ran straight over Leo Berdeu on one occasion and put in some thumping tackles.

11: Stravino Jacobs (Bulls)

Got bounced by the impressive Federico Mori but otherwise had a solid game. Strong with ball in hand, a hovering danger and grubbered for Kriel to collect and score.

10: Siya Masuku (Sharks)

On a shocking weekend for the South African flyhalves Masuku cracked the nod as he made a good break down the right-hand touchline and slotted a difficult conversion. Plus, his inaccuracies weren’t as egregious as the errors of his competition.

9: Zak Burger (Bulls)

An excellent performance that reminded of his playmaking prowess. Asked plenty of questions around the fringes of the ruck, highlighted by his classy try assist for Reinhardt Ludwig. Varied his kicking game well.

8: Marcell Coetzee (Bulls) – Player of the Week

Hailed as an “absolute warrior” by Gcobani Bobo on commentary, the Bulls captain led by example in a magnificent Man of the Match performance. A barnstormer on both sides of the ball.

7: Jannes Kirsten (Bulls)

Pragmatic and tireless, the red-haired Bulls flanker helped soften up Bayonne and was especially prominent on defence with his 13 tackles, which were second only to his captain’s 15.

6: Tino Mavesere (Sharks)

The Zimbabwe international was the best of the Sharks by a country mile. Extremely dynamic, made a match-high 14 carries and 12 tackles and capped things off with a superb solo try.

5: Darrien Landsberg (Lions)

An absolute machine, Landsberg led the Lions in carries – a massive 15 hit-ups – and tackles – a whopping 20 – and ran the lineout like clockwork.

4: Ruben Schoeman (Lions)

One of a few Lions who won most of the collisions he was involved in. Played the enforcer role well, making powerful runs, punishing hits and heavy cleanouts, and seemingly grew stronger as the game went on.

3: Wilco Louw (Bulls)

A bulldozer in full effect. Emasculated Pierre Castillon at scrum time, winning four penalties, the first of which saw the Bulls open their account. Great work rate around the park as well. 

2: Jaco Visagie (Lions)

Replaced the injured Franco Marais after 11 minutes and was a hard-nosed grafter. A perfect marksman when it came to his lineout throwing and willed his way over for a try.

1: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)

Started the second half and immediately sparked the Bulls’ third try with a good gallop and chicken wing offload. Poured petrol on the fire in the scrums, shifted to hooker seamlessly and won two turnovers on the deck.