JON CARDINELLI picks a South African XV based on performances in the fifth round of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.
The Sharks were the only team to provide South African rugby fans with a reason to smile in the recent round. Sean Everitt’s side beat the Reds 33-23 in Brisbane to finish their Australasian tour with a three-from-four win record.
Meanwhile, the Lions, Stormers and Vodacom Bulls slumped to embarrassing losses against overseas opposition. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see so few of those players featuring in this edition of SA Team of the Week.
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Aphelele Fassi, Lukhanyo Am and Andre Esterhuizen have been extremely consistent for the Sharks in 2020. While Curwin Bosch has had a few soft moments on defence, the flyhalf played a key role on attack and with the tactical kicking boot. Bosch nailed a couple of long-range penalties at a crucial point in last week’s match.
It wasn’t a great weekend for the South African No 9s. Herschel Jantjies – a regular feature in this team – was in erratic form, while he Lions and Bulls’ scrumhalves failed to fire.
Louis Schreuder was the best of a mediocre lot in round five. Looking ahead, however, it wouldn’t surprise to see the explosive Sanele Nohamba – who possesses a bullet of a pass and terrific awareness – receiving more starting opportunities at the Sharks.
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Rosko Specman tried hard for a woeful Bulls outfit in the defeat by the Jaguares. Marco van Staden made an impact for the Bulls at the breakdowns, but couldn’t stop the Jaguares all by himself.
JD Schickerling is the only other non-Shark to make the cut this week. The Stormers forwards were outplayed by their Blues counterparts at Newlands on Saturday. Schickerling was one of the few players who made a strong contribution, though, completing 12 tackles (and missing one). The promising lock also won five lineouts.
Everitt opted to rest his two frontline flanks for the Brisbane clash and start Dylan Richardson and Henco Venter in their place. Richardson was awake to an opportunity in the second half, scooping the ball out of the ruck and diving over the tryline.
What really caught the eye was the youngster’s work rate on defence. Richardson finished the game with 22 tackles and three turnovers.
The Sharks were inconsistent at the set pieces. The game in Brisbane had the visitors conceding several penalties in this area.
However, the work from the forwards around the park – particularly at the defensive breakdowns – must be commended. Thomas du Toit, Ox Nche and several others made some timely steals and momentum-stalling hits.
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (Round 5)
15 Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)
14 Madosh Tambwe (Sharks)
13 Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12 Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11 Rosko Specman (Bulls)
10 Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9 Louis Schreuder (Sharks)
8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Sharks)
7 Marco van Staden (Bulls)
6 Dylan Richardson (Sharks)
5 JD Schickerling (Stormers)
4 Hyron Andrews (Sharks)
3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
2 Kerron van Vuuren (Sharks)
1 Ox Nche (Sharks)
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SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (Round 4)
15 Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)
14 Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
13 Ruhan Nel (Stormers)
12 Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11 Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
10 Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9 Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)
8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Sharks)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
6 Jaco Coetzee (Stormers)
5 Juandre Kruger (Bulls)
4 Salmaan Moerat (Stormers)
3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
2 Scarra Ntubeni (Stormers)
1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
The Lions had a bye in round four
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Hollywoodbets
