JON CARDINELLI picks a form South African XV based on performances in round three of Super Rugby.
The Stormers and Sharks were the pick of the South African teams in round three. The Stormers beat the Kings 41-10, and the Sharks thumped the Waratahs 37-14.
While the Stormers did enough to bank a bonus point against the minnows from the Eastern Cape, more should be read into the Sharks’ individual performances against international opposition. It's for this reason that as many as seven Sharks players feature in this week's Form XV.
Cobus Reinach did not produce the most polished peformance in round three, and yet there's little doubt he was central to the Sharks' emphatic victory. Curwin Bosch came on for Pat Lambie early in the match and had an outstanding game with the boot and with ball in hand. The SA U20 star scored 27 points against the Waratahs.
Chris Cloete made seven turnovers against the Stormers, as the Kings ensured that the Cape side didn't have everything their own way at the breakdown. Only the Stormers' SP Marais has made more metres with ball in hand than Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule (as far as South African comparisons are concerned).
The all-round efforts of Lukhanyo Am and André Esterhuizen earned them selection in the backline ahead of those with slightly better running stats.
SA FORM XV (ROUND 3)
15. SP Marais (Stormers)
14. Kobus van Wyk (Sharks)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. André Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11. Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs)
10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9. Cobus Reinach (Sharks)
8. Warren Whiteley (Lions)
7. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)
6. Chirs Cloete (Kings)
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
3. Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks)
2. Torsten van Jaarsveld (Cheetahs)
1. Oli Kebble (Stormers)
WATCH: Highlights of Sharks vs Waratahs
LAST WEEK’S SA FORM XV
15. SP Marais (Stormers)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers)
13. EW Viljoen (Stormers)
12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions)
11. Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs)
10. Pat Lambie (Sharks)
9. Ross Cronjé (Lions)
8. Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers)
7. Oupa Mohoje (Cheetahs)
6. Jaco Kriel (Lions)
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
3. Ruan Dreyer (Lions)
2. Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers)
1. Ox Nche (Cheetahs)
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
