SA Investec Champions Cup Team of the Week – Round 2

It started with a stuttering Bulls side suffering a shock 30-21 loss to the Northampton Saints at Loftus Versfeld before the Sharks and Stormers went down in England.

The Durbanites were lashed 56-17 by the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road while the Capetonians were crushed 53-16 by Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.

Hanekom is one of seven Bulls in our local Champions Cup Team of the Week, which is rounded off by six Sharks and a pair of Stormers.  

15: Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks)

Strong in the carry, broke out of a couple of tackles, physical on defence, where his tackle on hard-running Solomone Kata stood out, and fearless in the air.

14: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls)

Almost a default selection as Eduan Keyter gave Leicester a try on a silver platter and Angelo Davids conceded a yellow card. De Klerk at least tried hard but did make a few mistakes. The best of a bad bunch.

13: Ethan Hooker (Sharks)

The blue-chipper did himself proud. Great break in the 17th minute, which saw him steamroll Handre Pollard, saved a try by winning the race to a dangerous grubber, powered over for a try and retained a kick.

12: Francois Venter (Sharks)

With David Kriel having a rare off day and Jean-Luc du Plessis continuing to show he’s out of his depth, Venter cracked the nod for setting targets effectively and making a try-saving stop on Kata.

11: Devon Williams (Bulls)

The regular fullback was comfortable on the wing, where he varied his play to keep the Saints guessing. Had a try disallowed due to obstruction and executed a good banana kick touch-finder.

10: Jurie Matthee (Stormers)

The 24-year-old put the Stormers in an early six-point lead off the tee, slotted a well-struck drop goal and converted his team’s sole try in a good individual outing that will bolster his confidence.

9: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)

On point with his box kicks all game, launching contestable after contestable. It remains his biggest strength, while his distribution was good as well.

8: Cameron Hanekom (Bulls) – Player of the Week

Such a complete performer, which is remarkable considering he’s just 22. Set the tone by breaking a tackle with his first of a match-high 19 carries, scored two stellar solo tries to get his team back in the game, won two penalties on the deck – the second on his 5m line – made effective offloads and a big hit on Rory Hutchinson to come away with the Man of the Match award.

💪 And his name is Cameron Hanekom!

Two tries off the back of the maul means the Vodacom Bulls trail 21-25 with 8 minutes to go.

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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby)

7: Elrigh Louw (Bulls)

The Bulls captain brought it on both sides of the ball. Provided great go-forward with his 11 carries and his massive tackle on George Furbank resulted in a turnover and ended the Saints skipper’s afternoon.

6: Marcell Coetzee (Bulls)

Proved class is permanent. Hit it up strongly and relentlessly (15 carries), showed his explosive power to beat two defenders and finally score the Bulls’ first try, made dominant tackles – most memorably on Curtis Langdon – and won a breakdown penalty in his 22.

5: Connor Evans (Stormers)

His hunger for more opportunities was evident as he worked his socks off. Made seven carries, 13 tackles, clattered into rucks and mixed it up in the mauls. 

4: Jason Jenkins (Sharks)

Has been very underwhelming since arriving in Durban, so it was pleasing that he produced his best performance for the Sharks yet. Decent work rate, managed a lineout steal on his 5m line just before halftime and grabbed a turnover on the deck.

3: Wilco Louw (Bulls)

“Quadzilla” feasted on the Saints scrum like he was at an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Bulls won five penalties in the set piece in the first half, with Louw squeezing a yellow card out of Emmanuel Iyogun. Solid carries and slick pass to put Akker van der Merwe into a gap. Knocked on a few times, though.

2: Dylan Richardson (Sharks)

The former flanker brought that back-rower energy and work rate to the table, making a team-high 15 tackles. One overthrow aside, his lineout work was good as well.

1: Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Pure dominator at scrum time, showing just how far he’s come over the last two years and how lethal he is in partnership with Louw. Good mobility in open play and effective ball carrier.