SA URC Team of the Week

The Jukskei derby was the only URC game of the weekend as it was a Round Nine catch-up clash and saw the hosts outscore the visitors by five tries to three to clinch a 31-19 win. 

The Pretoria outfit, who triumphed 37-22 at Ellis Park last month, have 12 players in our Team of the Week compared to the three of the Lions.

15: Devon Williams (Bulls)

Fired on all cylinders. Excellent 50:22 from which the Bulls scored, superb break from a scrum and chip for Sebastian de Klerk to grab and score and a try assist for Moodie.

14: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls)

Good pace and determination to chase down Williams’ chip and score, good straight run in the lead-up to the bonus point try and added a classy long-range touch-finder.

13: Stedman Gans (Bulls)

Made up for the yellow card with an electrifying effort in midfield. Fast and elusive, he led the Bulls in clean breaks (2), defenders beaten (5) and metres (56) and came away with the Man of the Match award.

12: David Kriel (Bulls)

Used his size and power to good effect, giving Gianni Lombard a hard time in particular, and kicked well out of hand, one perfectly judged kick forcing Quan Horn to take the ball into touch in his 22.

11: Canan Moodie (Bulls)

Bagged a brace and was good in the air. Did exceedingly well to dot down the opening try and had a clear run-in for his second after the break.

10: Willie le Roux (Bulls)

A satisfactory bounce-back effort from the previous weekend’s dud. Pulled the strings quite well, try assist for Moodie and glided over from a slick lineout move.

9: Embrose Papier (Bulls)

His decision-making and execution were significantly better than his direct opponent’s. His solid showing included crisp distribution, good exits and a nice cover tackle to take Lombard into touch.

8: Mpilo Gumede (Bulls)

On another level when it came to physicality, bumping off a couple of would-be tacklers including poor Morne van der Berg. Worked hard on both sides of the ball, making a joint-match-high six successful carries and eight tackles.

7: Ruan Venter (Lions)

A sledgehammer who brought relentless power and purpose. No surprise that he made more successful carries than any other Lions player with six and made some big hits as well.

6: Marco van Staden (Bulls) – Player of the Week

Pure class. Produced an early pressure-relieving turnover in his 22, forced his way over for a try from close quarters and made an unrivalled 14 tackles.

5: Darrien Landsberg (Lions)

Landsberg’s biggest strength is his hard grafting and he showcased that against the old enemy. He covered a lot of ground and made a team-high 12 tackles.

4: Etienne Oosthuizen (Lions)

A giant thorn in the Bulls’ side not only in the lineout, where he stole one of the Pretoria side’s balls in the 49th minute, but at the breakdown as well.

3: Wilco Louw (Bulls)

Another week, another working over by Louw at scrum time. The Lions weren’t sent back on roller skates as other sides but still bled four penalties due to Louw’s power. He also made a dominant hit on PJ Botha and scooped a turnover.

2: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)

Botha threw a proper dummy to go over for his try but Grobbelaar was a machine who produced an 80-minute performance. His two turnovers in the final five metres highlighted his magnificent motor.

1: Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Another solid all-round display. Did his job in the scrums, was busy in the trenches and beyond and slowed the Lions’ ball down.