SA United Rugby Championship Team of the Week – Round 7

Siya Kolisi showed his class on a super Saturday of URC action that saw wins for the Sharks and the Bulls, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

The Sharks recorded their first win over the Stormers in the URC when they triumphed 21-15 at Kings Park, while the Bulls beat Connacht 28-14 in wet conditions in Galway where both teams lost a player to a red card. The Lions, meanwhile, were gutsy in Limerick but went down 17-10 to Munster.

There are seven Bulls in our South African URC Team of the Week, six Sharks and a pair of Lions.

15: Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)

Continued his exceptional form with a URC Man of the Match performance. Dangerous with ball in hand, producing a try assist, a couple of clean breaks, a good chip and re-gather and a try-saving intercept. Yellow card and penalty try he conceded at the death for a deliberate knockdown almost led to the Durbanites’ downfall, though.

14: Canan Moodie (Bulls)

Highly influential after recovering from an average start. Created a try for Embrose Papier and scored one himself. Made an impressive five clean breaks and ran for 165 meters.

13: Henco van Wyk (Lions)

A one-man army who scored the try of the weekend. A phenomenal talent, the Lions’ “Weapon X” beat an outrageous nine defenders and made 53 meters in all.

What happens when Henco van Wyk smells the braai… ♨️💨@Vodacom #URC | #MUNvLIO pic.twitter.com/gwHfEBOJKy

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) November 30, 2024

12: Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)

Plenty of big plays at crucial times from the midfield monster, including a great counter-attack that led to a disallowed try and barging over for a five-pointer to give the Sharks some breathing room. Made a match-high eight successful carries and beat a team-high four defenders.  

11: Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)

Still as good as he’s ever been. Superb run from deep and linking up with Fassi and Esterhuizen, excellent counter-attack in the 51st minute, made a match-high 105 meters and was good in the air.

10: Johan Goosen (Bulls)

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu looked good before he limped off, sparking an early try-scoring opportunity and slotting a long-range drop goal. Instead, Goosen got the nod for his solid all-round effort and flawless goal-kicking.

9: Embrose Papier (Bulls)

Brilliant break down the blindside to put Sebastian de Klerk in for the first try and followed it up minutes later with a clever chip for Willie le Roux. Clean pair of heels to collect Moodie’s kick and double the Bulls’ lead before halftime and brave on defense to claim the Man of the Match award.

Sneaky as you like, Embrose Papier peaks round the maul to find Sebastian Klerk as Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby open their account at Dexcom Stadium 🙌@Vodacom #URC | #CONvBUL pic.twitter.com/t1icR7ToHT

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) November 30, 2024

8: Siya Kolisi (Sharks) – Player of the Week

The Sharks and Bok captain was in commanding form, proving he can more than hold his own at No. 8. Won an early breakdown penalty in his 22 and a second turnover near the attacking 22 in the 20th minute. Good explosiveness to break a tackle and score a popular try.

Siya Kolisi has the power to burst through 💪💪

📺 Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/xMD3Yhu2CG

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 30, 2024

7: Cobus Wiese (Bulls)

An omnipresent physical force. Worked his socks off, dominated collisions whether he carried or laid it in on defence. Won an early breakdown penalty and claimed a valuable lineout steal on his 5m line in the 58th minute.

6: Cameron Hanekom (Bulls)

Replaced injured captain Marcell Coetzee, who had a good outing in his own right, in the 29th minute and was an absolute workhorse, making a Bulls-best 15 tackles.

5: Gerbrandt Grobler (Sharks)

Covered acres of space and got through a good amount of work. Applied pressure at the ruck, charging down one of Herschel Jantjies’ kicks, and in the lineouts.

4: Ruan Vermaak (Bulls)

Ruled the lineouts, of which there were plenty, with an iron fist. Poached the very first lineout and produced a second steal in the 49th minute. Covered a lot of ground in general play, including making a crucial back-tracking tackle just before halftime.

3: Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions)

Very good all-around. Won two scrum penalties, made strong carries, showed off some footwork, managed a great take off the ground and was a busy roadblock on defense.

2: Akker van der Merwe (Bulls)

“The Angry Warthog” was full of hustle and bustle, starting with a good early break. Combative, energetic, good in the set pieces and won a penalty on the deck in the 32nd minute.

1: Ox Nche (Sharks)

With the scrums being a lottery, Nche showed he’s much more than just a phenomenal scrummager. Ran over Feinberg-Mngomezulu, was mobile on defense with his good tackle enabling a turnover and extracted a great turnover of his own in the 58th minute.