JON CARDINELLI picks a South African XV based on performances in the third round of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.
Round three certainly served up some unexpected results. The Bulls won at Ellis Park for the first time in seven years when they thumped the Lions 30-12 on Saturday, while the Stormers beat the Sharks 16-11 in Durban to end their own drought away from home.
The Sunwolves deserve a mention for making history with their first win on the road against the Chiefs. Formers Bulls and Stormers winger Gerhard van den Heever would have made the SA Team of the Week if overseas-based players were considered.
The Bulls were the best South African team on show. While the Stormers should be commended for their effort at Kings Park, the Bulls produced a more convincing team showing, and certain individuals performed consistently for the better part of the contest.
Lukhanyo Am was in sublime form with ball in hand. Over the past three games, his ability to read the situation and put his teammates into space has been a joy to behold. Am’s overall performance was only marred by the yellow card he received in the first half of the fixture in Durban.
The only Lion to make this week’s team is Kwagga Smith. The Lions pack was largely outplayed by that of the Bulls, and yet Smith still managed to make 13 tackles and four defensive turnovers in a losing cause.
The Stormers’ front row deserve credit for the manner in which they troubled the more-fancied Sharks combination at scrum time. That said, Schalk Brits cracks the nod at hooker thanks to his all-round contribution at Ellis Park.
Pieter-Steph du Toit got through a mountain of work at Kings Park, While his strong carrying ensured that the Stormers breached the gainline more often than not, the biggest feature of his game was his defence. The blindside made 17 tackles and two turnovers.
Eben Etzebeth should have been named Man of the Match, though. Starting for the first time this season, the abrasive No 4 ignored the attention of multiple defenders to make important yards for his side.
Etzebeth made eight tackles as well as the turnover that ended the game. While the Stormers lineout unit blew hot and cold, Etzebeth proved a safe option with 12 wins on the visitors’ throw.
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 3)
15. Warrick Gelant (Bulls)
14. Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. Dylan Sage (Bulls)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
10. Handré Pollard (Bulls)
9. Embrose Papier (Bulls)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
6. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
5. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
3. Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
2. Schalk Brits (Bulls)
1. Ali Vermaak (Stormers)
ALSO READ: Five takeaways from past weekend
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 2)
15. Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)
14. Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. Damain de Allende (Stormers)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
10. Jean-Luc du Plessis (Stormers)
9. Nic Groom (Lions)
8. Hanro Liebenberg (Bulls)
7. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
6. Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
5. Lood de Jager (Bulls)
4. Marvin Orie (Lions)
3. Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks)
2. Akker van der Merwe (Sharks)
1. Dylan Smith (Lions)
Photo: Gerhard Duraan/Backpage Pix
