SA URC Team of the Week – Round 14

Jake White’s men romped to a 63-24 win over Zebre at Loftus Versfeld to consolidate their place in the top four, with the three other local franchises failing to achieve their objectives.

The Stormers suffered a major implosion in Belfast where they let a 17-point lead slip in a 38-34 defeat, the Sharks succumbed 10-7 to a youthful Leinster at Kings Park and the Lions were blown away by the defending champion Warriors in windy Glasgow, going down 42-0.  

Two-thirds of our Team of the Week are made up of Bulls with three Stormers and two Sharks completing our selection.

15: Devon Williams (Bulls)

Very lively and dangerous on attack. Slick try assist for Sergeal Petersen and kept asking questions of the Zebre defence with his speed and sleight of hand.

14: Sergeal Petersen (Bulls)

Sped off his wing to score the Bulls’ opening try, produced a 50:22 that ultimately led to their bonus point try, finished off a thrilling attack for his second five-pointer and was good in the air.

🔥 Chemistry on point 🏉

Devon Williams feeding Sergeal Petersen in full flight? Yes please! 😮‍💨🔥 @Vodacom #URC | #BULvZEB pic.twitter.com/DgRNJbttdW

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) March 29, 2025

13: David Kriel (Bulls)

Busted tackles, seized a breakdown penalty in the 63rd minute and pounced on a Zebre error to score with four minutes to go.

12: Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)

“The Agent of Chaos” was the Durbanites’ main source of go-forward ball, showing his class as he tried to carry his team to victory. Won a good counter-rucking turnover as well.

11: Stravino Jacobs (Bulls)

Still needs to clean up his game but was combative and scored a beauty from a messy lineout to see off Makazole Mapimpi, who did a lot of work off his wing, including dangerous pick-and-go bursts.

Stravino Jacobs with that step 😮‍💨🏃‍♂️

The Vodacom Bulls get their third try of the match 🏉🔵

📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/9bIJApHsVe

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 29, 2025

10: Keagan Johannes (Bulls) – Player of the Week

Showed plenty of promise in a Man of the Match performance. Good tactical kicking, including a beautiful 50:22 from which the Bulls drew first blood, sound decision-making and a perfect 7/7 off the tee for a 14-point haul.

9: Embrose Papier (Bulls)

Brought energy and accuracy off the bench and teed up Petersen well for his second try. A real rough round for the other local scrumhalves.

Running rugby at its best! The Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby grab 5 points in style.@Vodacom #URC | #BULvZEB | #RaceToTheEight pic.twitter.com/UPLWNj4NHv

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) March 29, 2025

8: Evan Roos (Stormers)

Got the Stormers off to the perfect start with a dynamic opening try, made a team-high seven successful carries, covered acres of space on defence and bookended an industrious effort by scoring the bonus point try and giving his side a late sniff.

7: Jannes Kirsten (Bulls)

A fiery showing by the red-haired veteran. Brought physicality and mongrel, got around the park and did added work in the lineout, including poaching one on Zebre’s throw in the 48th minute.

6: Marcell Coetzee (Bulls)

A strong captain’s outing in which he worked hard, produced a jackal on his 22 in the 53rd minute and muscled over for a try.

5: Ruben van Heerden (Stormers)

Another week, another tireless effort from the Stormers’ ironman. Made a South African-best 19 tackles, was involved in Willie Engelbrecht’s try and was commanding in the lineouts.

4: Connor Evans (Stormers)

Inspired by his veteran second-row partner, Evans got through an immense amount of work. A machine on defence, in particular, winning collisions in the trenches and racking up 16 tackles.

3: Mornay Smith (Bulls)

Maximised his rare starting opportunity. Won three scrum penalties, saved a lineout, which resulted in a try, created an overlap by working hard around the corner and was strong defensively.

2: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)

A clinical conqueror. Flawless in the set pieces, both at hooker and when he moved to prop, and showed brute strength to power over for the Bulls’ bonus point try.

1: Ox Nche (Sharks)

One of the few Sharks who had real energy and a strong work ethic. Made telling carries, had soft touches and put the squeeze on at scrum time, winning two penalties.