Currie Cup Team of the Week – Semi-Finals

Sharks and Bulls dominate our Currie Cup Team of the Week after leaving Western Province and the Lions black and blue, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

In the first of Saturday’s semi-finals, the Bulls outsmarted and outmuscled the Lions to secure a 26-21 win at Loftus Versfeld. The scoreline flattered the visitors, who scored a consolation try in the final play of the game, with Jake White’s charges full value for the home ground advantage they’ll enjoy in the final this weekend.

They’ll host the Sharks, who spoiled the ‘last dance’ at Newlands for favourites Western Province. The Durban side triumphed 19-9 in the last-ever encounter at the old dame of South African rugby, which was built in 1888 and hosted its first match in 1889.

There are nine Bulls and three Sharks in our side, which is rounded off by two Lions and a lone Province player.

15: Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)

Going tit-for-tat with Damian Willemse, Fassi used the pressure-cooker platform that is a play-off match away from home to prove he not only has the confidence on attack but also the temperament on defence to hang at the highest level. His left boot and attacking mindset make him an ideal successor for Springbok incumbent Willie le Roux, while Willemse’s versatility stands him in good stead.

14: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls)

A strong candidate for the Player of the Week plaudits. Reminiscent of Cheslin Kolbe, he stood tall on defence in all aspects to rack up an unrivalled 15 tackles. From making his presence felt at a ruck early on, he proceeded to rip the ball from Jaco Kriel in his 22 and dislodged the ball from Tiaan Swanepoel’s grasp to pour cold water on a Lions counter-attack. Sandwiched in between was a rib-ratting hit that knocked the wind out of the Lions fullback.

13: Wandisile Simelane (Lions)

The lone danger man in the Lions backline on the day. Threatened the Sharks every time he touched the ball. Made a piercing line break deep inside his half and showed good speed to beat the cover defence and canter in for a try that levelled the scores at 14-all (time-stamped below).

A menace in midfield. Ran intelligent, incisive lines and showed both his strength and stepping ability. Most pleasing and refreshing, the Cheetahs centre ran with the ball in both hands – a lost art – to keep Griquas guessing. Formed a formidable partnership with…

12: Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)

A domineering force in midfield. It’s truly remarkable how he’s seamlessly transitioned from the wing to inside centre. His hard, straight running is straight out of the handbook and yielded plenty of line breaks and go-forward ball. Crucially, he targeted space instead of seeking contact. Also timed and executed a long pass perfectly for what should’ve been Stravino Jacobs’ second try.

11: Stravino Jacobs (Bulls)

Granted, it wasn’t a complete performance. Failing to field a box kick cost his team a try and he squandered five points when the ball slipped out of his fingers after collecting Hendricks’ above-mentioned pass. Nevertheless, the former South African schools wing scored a brace of tries and was a handful throughout, bumping off André Warner on one occasion and steamrolling Simelane on another.

10: Curwin Bosch (Sharks) – Player of the Week

Morné Steyn was a true general in his 100th match for the Bulls. He created the first try with a deft grubber and the only drawbacks were a couple of uncharacteristic missed kicks at goal. Bosch’s ability to slot kicks from inside his half gave the Sharks a 9-0 lead after just 12 minutes. His match awareness was highlighted when he landed a drop goal to give his side a 12-9 lead in the 47th minute and he guided the visitors to victory from there. Ended with a personal tally of 14 points, scooped the Man of the Match award and is our Player of the Week.

9: Ivan van Zyl (Bulls)

Produced the type of performance that earned him six Springbok caps in 2018. Got good purchase with his exit kicks and pinned the Lions in their 22 with clever grubbers. Even more impressively, he was in the driving seat on attack. Steyn rightfully deserves credit for his try-assist grubber but Van Zyl laid the groundwork for the opening try, first making a half break and then drifting a few steps before putting Steyn into a hole that preceded the try.

8: Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)

An “unstoppable force” as Warren Brosnihan called him on commentary. Just ask Jaco Visagie, who he bulldozed during one of his five commanding carries. A key man in the lineouts and an exit specialist, so dependable in both departments. His leadership was also on full display; read the momentum of the match splendidly, knowing exactly when to go to the line instead of taking the three points on offer and it paid off with a try that halted the Lions’ two-try blitz.

7: Elrigh Louw (Bulls)

Had an excellent back-and-forth battle against Vincent Tshituka, with Louw being the more physical and powerful and his Lions adversary the faster and more agile, as highlighted when he won a vital breakdown penalty just outside his 22 as the Bulls threatened to score in the 19th minute. The hard-working Louw held up Jannie du Plessis over the try line and never slowed down, making six carries – the most by a Bulls forward on the day – and nine tackles, second only to…

6: Marco van Staden (Bulls)

Dylan Richardson was industrious, while Kriel had his moments, most notably a barnstorming run that saw him beat three defenders to set up Willem Alberts’ try. Siya Kolisi bled for the cause but was contained in the coastal clash. Van Staden was the standout, making 13 tackles – the most by a forward on final-four weekend – carried the ball five times and worked his magic at the breakdown.

5: Ruan Nortje (Bulls)

Dominated his key head-to-head battle against Marvin Orie. A silent assassin, he put in work in general play (five carries and seven tackles) and marshalled the mauls on either end. Of course, his main job was in the lineouts, which he did well despite Schalk Erasmus’ radar being off. Stealing a lineout on his 5m line, with the score at 26-14 with five minutes remaining, sealed the deal and was the highlight of his impressive outing. Edged Ruben van Heerden.

4: Willem Alberts (Lions)

Junior Springbok JJ van der Mescht more than warranted his selection in the Sharks’ starting line-up, physically dominating his older opponents and scoring the only try of the second semi-final. However, the evergreen “Bone Collector” added to his legend with a colossal performance in Pretoria. Resembled a runaway freight try as he stormed over to open the Lions’ account in the 44th minute (time-stamped below). Led the Lions pack in carries (9) and tackles (a team-high 12). A victim of his team’s indiscipline when he was yellow-carded in the 59th minute.

3: Frans Malherbe (Western Province)

Stability, rather than dominance, turned out to be the name of the game for tightheads and this is where Malherbe came up trumps. By far the most dependable and consistent No.3 of the weekend. Thomas du Toit started well by winning a scrum penalty but fell off from there, Trevor Nyakane won a turnover at the breakdown but went tit-for-tat in the scrums while Du Plessis was dominated in the set-piece.

2: Fezokuhle Mbatha (Sharks)

It was an underwhelming weekend as far as hooker play was concerned. Bongi Mbonambi, Jaco Visagie and especially Erasmus’ throw-ins were wayward, the latter getting away with a few skew ones. Mbatha was the most accurate in terms of this primary positional responsibility, with the Sharks winning all six of their lineouts, and put in a busy shift on defence with nine tackles, second only to Richardson’s 10 in the pack.

1: Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)

A Player of the Week contender, Gqoboka reminded what a dominant force he can be at scrum time. Laid the foundation for victory, but step-by-step, all four of the first-half penalties he earned were key, two relieving pressure in the hosts’ 22 and the other two resulting in six points. Almost forced his way over with a strong leg drive as well.