South African players have made a strong start to the 2019-20 PRO14 season, with the Cheetahs topping the stats after the opening two rounds.
Following the Cheetahs’ unbeaten start to the season, it’s no surprise to see their players coming out on top of many of the stats.
Fullback Rhyno Smith has been in exceptional form since his return to Bloemfontein, scoring a brace in each of their two games. That ties him with Edinburgh’s Mark Bennett to top the try-scorer’s list. Just below Smith is hooker Joseph Dweba and wing Anthony Volmink, who have three tries each.
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Smith also leads the way in most carries (28) and clean breaks (8). Edinburgh wing Duhan van der Merwe, brother of hooker Akker, has beaten the most defenders in the first two rounds (16), with Smith just behind him (14).
Veteran scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar tops the point-scorers list with 30, helped by the fact that he also takes the kicks at goal for the Cheetahs. Pienaar has kicked 11 conversions, the most of any player so far this season. His halfback partner, Tian Schoeman, has made the most offloads (7), illustrating the Cheetahs’ attacking mindset.
Scarlets No 8 Uzair Cassiem has been busy defensively, making 27 tackles in two games, joint fourth on the top-tacklers list.
Photo: Gallo Images
