JON CARDINELLI picks a South African XV based on performances in round three of Super Rugby.
All four of the South African Super Rugby teams were on show this past weekend. The Stormers were poor in their 45-28 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch, while the Sharks slumped to a 24-24 draw with the Waratahs in Durban. The Lions proved too strong for the Bulls in their 49-35 bonus-point win in Pretoria.
That latter victory was built on set-piece dominance. With that in mind, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see a host of Lions forwards in this week’s form XV.
Franco Mostert’s move to blindside flank did not limit his impact at the lineout. Mostert won eight lineouts at Loftus Versfeld and stole one off the Bulls’ throw. He put in a big shift on defence too, making 11 tackles.
COLUMN: Mostert management a win for alignment
Rob du Preez blew hot and cold at flyhalf for the Sharks. Meanwhile, Elton Jantjies attempted to keep the Bulls pinned in their own half, and created a try for Marvin Orie via a well-weighted grubber. Jantjies also kicked six conversions.
André Esterhuizen was solid at No 12 for the Sharks in the draw against the Waratahs. That said, Handré Pollard was more influential in that channel for the Bulls, creating a try for Johnny Kotze, via a perfectly weighted cross-kick, and scoring one himself. Pollard made nine tackles in all, two of those dominant.
Lukhanyo Am scored two tries for the Sharks, and may have scored a third if Du Preez had opted to pass after making a break. The No 13 made 137m with ball in hand and seven tackles for the Sharks
REVIEW: Lions soar, Sharks stumble
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (Round 3)
15. Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks)
14. Sylvian Mahuza (Lions)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. Handré Pollard (Bulls)
11. Travis Ismaiel (Bulls)
10. Elton Jantjies (Lions)
9. Ross Cronjé (Lions)
8. Warren Whiteley (Lions)
7. Franco Mostert (Lions)
6. Roelof Smit (Bulls)
5. Marvin Orie (Lions)
4. Andries Ferreira (Lions)
3. Ruan Dreyer (Lions)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Jacques van Rooyen (Lions)
Photo: MuziNtombela/BackpagePix
