SA URC Team of the Week – Round 12

Lions scrumhalf Morne van den Berg stood tall in a losing effort as the Sharks clinched the South African Shield with a thrilling 25-22 win at Kings Park on Saturday, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The rescheduled United Rugby Championship Round One clash was a nailbiter with the 14-man hosts requiring a 75th-minute Jaden Hendrikse penalty goal to edge ahead and held on from there to add the South African Shield to their trophy case, which also includes the Currie Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

Our Team of the Week reflects the closeness of the contest but unlike the result, it’s the Lions who pip it with eight representatives to the Sharks’ seven.

15: Tapiwa Mafura (Lions)

Absolutely electric with his scintillating speed and fancy footwork. Beat an unrivalled six defenders, good punch to score the Lions’ first try and top rescue play on the hour-mark.

14: Richard Kriel (Lions)

Made the right decision to hold onto the ball and score and had a field day in the air, where Yaw Penxe was poor. The Sharks speedster also squandered a try and conceded a yellow card.

13: Jurenzo Julius (Sharks)

A tough choice as Manuel Rass had another good game filling in for Henco van Wyk. In the end, Julius won out thanks to his pinpoint assist for Grant Williams, while he also made the hit of the match on Mafura.

12: Francois Venter (Sharks)

One of his better performances for the Durban side. A gainline beast who made a joint-match-high 11 carries, which included a couple of strong breaks and a surge that provided the momentum for Siya Kolisi’s first try.

11: Ethan Hooker (Sharks)

The left-wingers had no real opportunities to speak of, so selection came down to their work ethic. Hooker was the hungrier man on the day, including showing supreme determination to win a turnover.

10: Gianni Lombard (Lions)

Continued his fine form while his opposite number had a bit of a mare. Sound decision-making, dependable goal-kicking and brave take under the high ball in his 22.

9: Morne van den Berg (Lions) – Player of the Week

The driving force of the Lions. So sublime that he won the Man of the Match award despite ending up on the losing side. Brilliant break from one 22 to the other, skip pass beat a defender to set up Kriel for his try, top-notch kicking and exemplary cover defending.

8: Siya Kolisi (Sharks)

The best of the Sharks. His fast hands were key in the opening try, perfectly-timed run to score his side’s second and pick-and-go to dot down their third.

7: Siba Qoma (Lions)

Made the most of his rare start. Heavily involved from the start and ultra-physical, he made a couple of dominant hits, including one on Venter, and finished with a match-high 14 tackles.

6: Jarod Cairns (Lions)

Another Lions fringe player who seized the day. Drawn to the ball like a magnet, masterfully outgunning the Sharks at the breakdown and winning no less than five turnovers.

5: Darrien Landsberg (Lions)

Contributed well across the board, not just in the lineout. Emile van Heerden tried hard but had a number of calls go against him.

4: Ruben Schoeman (Lions)

The underappreciated veteran put in a big shift. A bruiser and a workhorse, he left his stamp with his strength and industriousness, which included 12 tackles. 

3: Vincent Koch (Sharks)

Helped the Sharks get the upper hand in the scrums and showed good vision to snatch an intercept and create a try-scoring opportunity.

2: Fez Mbatha (Sharks)

An impact player of note. On the money with his lineout throwing, good in the scrums and swooped in to win the penalty on the deck that ensured victory for the hosts.

1: Ox Nche (Sharks)

A top-class return from injury. Made a Sharks-best five successful carries and his double-barrelled dominance at scrum time resulted in a try.