JON CARDINELLI picks a form South African XV based on performances in round 16 of Super Rugby.
The Southern Kings made history when they beat the Bulls 31-30 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The Stormers were the only other South African side in action this past weekend, and blew hot and cold in their 52-15 win over the Sunvolves at Newlands.
As many as eight Kings have been included in this week’s SA Form XV. The Cheetahs, Lions, and Sharks players did not feature in round 16 and so have not been considered for selection.
Lionel Cronjé was the standout for the Kings, scoring 21 of their 30 points. The flyhalf’s game management was excellent, as was his goal-kicking.
Cronjé held his nerve to slot a penalty goal on the stroke of full-time. That kick was the difference between a historic win against the Bulls and a near miss.
The Kings loose forwards outplayed their Bulls counterparts. Andile Ntsila and Tyler Paul made 27 tackles between them, while Chris Cloete was a menace at the breakdown.
Ntsila has cracked the nod in this SA Form XV ahead of Nizaam Carr. The Stormers No 8 had a solid game against the Sunwolves, both on defence and attack.
Dillyn Leyds scored two tries and made 268m with ball in hand. The Stormers fullback was prominent in the buildup to three more tries, including the attack that led to Cheslin Kolbe’s third.
Three Bulls players have made the cut, despite the Pretoria team’s monumental loss to the Kings. Centre Jan Serfontein caused the Kings defence problems in midfield. Hooker Adriaan Strauss carried and scrummed well.
RG Snyman won 11 lineouts and made 13 tackles, the best of which prevented Makazole Mapimpi from scoring a second try. It’s not everyday that one sees a lock chasing down a winger.
SA FORM XV (ROUND 16)
15. Dillyn Leyds (Stormers)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers)
13. EW Viljoen (Stormers)
12. Jan Serfontein (Bulls)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Kings)
10. Lionel Cronje (Kings)
9. Louis Schreuder (Kings)
8. Andile Ntsila (Kings)
7. Tyler Paul (Kings)
6. Chris Cloete (Kings)
5. Giant Ntyanda (Kings)
4. RG Snyman (Bulls)
3. Ross Geldenhuys (Kings)
2. Adriaan Strauss (Bulls)
1. Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
REVIEW: Kings race clear of Bulls
SA FORM XV (ROUND 15)
15. Warrick Gelant (Bulls)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers)
13. Lionel Mapoe (Lions)
12. Jan Sefontein (Bulls)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Kings)
10. Elton Jantjies (Lions)
9. Ross Cronjé (Lions)
8. Andisa Ntsila (Kings)
7. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
6. Jaco Kriel (Lions)
5. Franco Mostert (Lions)
4. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)
3. Ruan Dreyer (Lions)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Ox Nche (Cheetahs)
Photo: Anne Laing/HM Images
