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The Stormers soared to the top of the Super Rugby table after what proved to be another good weekend for South Africa’s coastal sides, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.<\/p>\n
The Cape Town team outmuscled the Jaguares in challenging conditions to secure a 17-7 win at Newlands on Saturday, taking them to the summit after the fourth round of the competition and earning them six players in our South African Team of the Week.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, the Sharks bounced back from their disappointing defeat to the Hurricanes with an emphatic 36-24 victory over the Melbourne Rebels. It was the men from Durban’s second win on their Australasian tour and saw seven of their stars included in our team.<\/p>\n
Also on Saturday, the Bulls suffered a last-gasp 23-21 loss to the Blues in their first home game of the season to remain winless. Two of their players cracked the nod, while the Lions had a bye.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ: SA SUPER RUGBY TEAM – ROUND 3<\/a><\/strong>Once again, he was an assassin on attack as he dissected the Rebels Down Under. He made an excellent early break, whisked past five defenders in all and won 52 metres in 10 runs. He also slotted in well at first-receiver on occasion and made key plays, most memorably stabbing through a great grubber to spark the opening try. He needs to work on his defence, but he did make a try-saving tackle on Marika Koroibete before Isi Naisarani picked up the spoils to score. Warrick Gelant had a good game as well as the Bulls’ primary playmaker.Madosh Tambwe was terrific for the Sharks once again, but he was shaded in the end by the Bulls and Springbok stalwart, who needed a big game after botching try-scoring opportunities in the first two games and delivered in spades. This time around, the focus was there to match his work rate, which saw him turn a chip into a scoring chance and chase hard all game. He made three scintillating breaks, evaded five defenders and ran for a match-high 67 metres to claim the Man of the Match award.The outside centres offered little to write home about. Jeremy Ward was a satisfactory stand-in for rested regular Sharks skipper Lukhanyo Am while Johnny Kotze had a bad early knock and made just the one good break. Nel wasn’t significantly better but he looked for work – lending a hand in a few driving mauls – and got onto the scoresheet for the second week in a row.Although Andr\u00e9 Esterhuizen was colossal as Sharks captain, the fact that Roberts all but carried the Stormers on his back saw the Welshman crack the nod. Often teams make curious signings of veterans that leave fans wondering whether they’re little more than a final payday. No-one can question Roberts’ commitment to the Cape side’s cause after the monster shift he put in on Saturday, smashing into heavy traffic no fewer than 18 times. He also made a try-saving tackle on Sebastian Cancelliere and even helped out at scrum time when the Stormers were down to 14 to EARN the Man of the Match award.The try-scoring machine could’ve had a hat-trick but settled for a sixth Sharks double instead as he unselfishly handed the ball to Curwin Bosch in the in-goal area with eight minutes to go. He beat five defenders, made two clean breaks and clocked up 111 metres, but what was most impressive was the determination he showed for his second try, which he had no right to score but took on two defenders and burrowed over through sheer will. Rosko Specman deserves a special mention for doing everything in his might on attack and defence for the Bulls.The Sharks produced another team effort to triumph on tour, but Bosch was the game-changer who turned the Durbanites’ fortunes around. Back after missing the Hurricanes game due to a family bereavement, Bosch restored rhythm to the backline and provided tactical generalship that was lacking in the loss in Wellington. He took the ball to the line, continued his accurate goal-kicking and notched up 16 points, including the above-mentioned try, in a polished performance.<\/p>\n Congratulations Curwin Bosch on playing an outstanding 50th Vodacom Super Rugby Cap today.#OurSharksForever<\/a> #REBvSHA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9HYvotfP1Z<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) February 22, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n