JON CARDINELLI picks a South African XV based on performances in round four of Super Rugby.
The Sharks were the only South African side to win – against the Sunwolves – this past weekend. The Lions went down to the Blues in Johannesburg, the Bulls blew a great opportunity to win against the Reds in Brisbane, while the Stormers were outplayed by the Highlanders in Dunedin.
With that in mind, it shouldn’t surprise to see so many Sharks in this edition of Team of the Week.
POWER RANKINGS: Super Rugby (Round 4)
The Sharks pack was dominant against the Sunwolves. That said, there are notable mentions for Lood de Jager of the Bulls, who completed 19 tackles and won four lineouts in a losing cause in Brisbane. Cyle Brink of the Lions also got through a lot of work on defence (14 tackles)
Winger Mazakole Mapimpi scored two tries for the Sharks. Centre André Esterhuizen made 23 tackles and was equally impressive with ball in hand (50m made, three defenders beaten and three offloads).
Lions scrumhalf Ross Cronjé and winger Aphiwe Dyantyi didn’t enjoy the best game on defence, but certainly made their presence felt on attack. Dyantyi (four) is the joint-top try-scorer at this stage.
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (Round 4)
15. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
14. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. André Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
10. Rob du Preez (Sharks)
9. Ross Cronjé (Lions)
8. Tera Mtembu (Sharks)
7. Jacques Vermeulen (Sharks)
6. Cyle Brink (Lions)
5. Lood de Jager (Bulls)
4. Stephan Lewies (Sharks)
3. John-Hubert Meyer (Sharks)
2. Akker van der Merwe (Sharks)
1. Beast Mtawarira (Sharks)
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
