27 May 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

SUPER RUGBY SA TEAM OF THE WEEK – ROUND 15

The Stormers and Sharks claimed vital home victories in Round 15 of Super Rugby to bolster their play-off aspirations.

The Stormers were the most impressive of the South African sides as they secured a comfortable 34-22 win over the Highlanders, while the Sharks shot up to second in the South African Conference thanks to their 27-17 win over the Lions.

There were some good individual performances by Bulls forwards in Canberra, but the lack of a collective effort led to a 22-10 loss to the Brumbies.

? Who is your Player of the Week?

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Heavily involved from the back and ever-elusive, beating five defenders with speed and stepping, resulting in 12 carries for 41 metres. Brave on defence, where he made a try-saving tackle on Highlanders No.8 Elliot Dixon just after half-time.

Cornal Hendricks, Seabelo Senatla and Sbu Nkosi were all outstanding. In a very difficult decision, the ex-Blitzbok cracks the nod with his impersonation of a cat on a hot tin roof. Broke the line twice, one of which saw him put in Herschel Jantjies, and mere centimetres denied him two tries. Made all five of his tackles, whereas the other contenders slipped a couple, and won a turnover.

His best attacking display of the season. Boasts two South African round records, having beaten six would-be tacklers and made no less than four clean breaks. In 13 runs, he made a team-high 78 metres and crossed the whitewash. Had a major hand in the Lions’ second try and also kept Lukhanyo Am quiet.

Was an absolute beast in all departments and showed he’s added brains to brawn. Painfully predictable for so long, he kept the opposition guessing with creative kicks, one of which almost sparked a try. Ran with the ball in two hands, offloaded in contact and threw a brilliant bullet pass for Siya Kolisi to score a cracker. Ran for a South African round-record 117 metres in a whopping 19 carries while beating two defenders and making a line break. Also made a team-high 11 hits.

Dillyn Leyds is very unlucky to lose out as he was sublime for the Stormers. Mapimpi, though, played an even greater role in the Sharks’ win and deservedly won the Man of the Match award. His 95-metre intercept try was a key moment and a 14-point swing, essentially. His defensive display was world-class; he saved a certain try with one of his nine tackles on Mapoe in the 70th minute and won two turnovers.

Mapimpi has really improved under the high ball

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17)

Comfortably won the much-hyped head-to-head battle against Elton Jantjies. Intercepted his opposite number’s pass to run in a long-range try and slotted key penalties at crucial times to secure an all-important win for his team and finish with 17 points.

Jantjies was also locked in a much-anticipated positional battle, with the Highlanders’ All Black scrumhalf Aaron Smith, which would give a good indication if the red-hot rookie has the aptitude to play at Test level. He passed the test with flying colours. Was a constant attacking threat, making three sniping breaks, beating three defenders and finishing off a great try. Threw some beautiful flat passes and pulled in two tacklers to put Jean-Luc du Plessis in for a try.

Had an entertaining, tit-for-tat battle with Kwagga Smith. Jake White once said a good big player will always top a good smaller player and that sums up their head-to-head showdown. Du Preez was strong in contact, made a match-high 14 hard hits and crossed the whitewash after some strong work from the Sharks’ forwards.

No South African player worked harder in Round 15 than Liebenberg – in a losing effort no less. Made a mammoth 19 tackles, carried well and was rewarded with a try.

Siya Kolisi was in top form and scored a scorcher of a try for the second week in a row. He, however, misses out, to no fault of his own, as an injury niggle restricted him to just 39 minutes. Schoeman produced a top-class effort, which included 13 tackles and a turnover on the Bulls’ line in the 33rd minute. Was also the Bulls’ main ball-carrier with 11 hit-ups and averaged three metres per carry.

Continued his fantastic form with another busy performance across the park. Beat two defenders in eight carries, made an impressive 10 tackles, snatched two turnovers with those long arms and was a titan at lineout time, securing eight throws.

Dotted down, made 28 metres in eight powerful carries, executed a pack-high nine hits, won a turnover and was the main lineout target with five takes in a Man of the Match performance.

Solid in the scrums and industrious in the tight loose, with three carries and four tackles.

The ageless Schalk Brits could be seen everywhere, but his eagerness also saw him slip three tackles. Van Vuuren, conversely, quietly went about doing the donkey work. Was particularly impressive on defence, where he made 10 tackles.

As a greenhorn, he made quite a statement, especially at scrum time, where he gave the Sharks superiority and won a couple of penalties.

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