Currie Cup Team of the Week – Round 14

A surprise-packed, drama-filled final round of league action made for plenty to ponder when it came time to select our Currie Cup Team of the Week, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld. 

The Cheetahs came back from 19-0 down to beat the Bulls 31-27 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, a victory that saw them usurp the Sharks and finish at the top of the log. 

The two bonus points earned by the Bulls, who lost Elrigh Louw to a red card in the first half, were enough for the men from Pretoria to secure a semi-final spot. 

The Sharks had to settle for second place after suffering an embarrassing 44-5 walloping courtesy of Western Province in Cape Town on Saturday. They’ll play the Pumas, who consolidated third position with a 27-17 win over Griquas in Kimberley on Friday.

The Lions, meanwhile, ended their season with a 39-22 win over the Griffons in Welkom in the other fixture on Friday. 

Making up our team are five Western Province players, four Cheetahs, four Lions and two Bulls.  

15: Clayton Blommetjies (Western Province)

Made a number of telling breaks, including sparking one of the tries of the weekend from inside his 22, chipped in intelligent kicks, one of which forced a mistake out of Werner Kok that resulted in a try, and took some diving catches as the Sharks continued to kick away possession.

14: Daniel Kasende (Cheetahs)

Electric every time he touched the ball. Great early break, busted two tackles to score and saved a try when he won a foot race against David Kriel and hacked the ball into touch.

13: David Brits (Cheetahs)

Stepped up in a big way and scored a try he had no right to through unstoppable determination. A great example for schoolboy players.

12: Cornel Smit (Western Province)

Great work rate, a strong, straight runner, shut down Rohan Janse van Rensburg, made a huge hit on Thaakir Abrahams and, rather interestingly, fielded the restarts. 

11: David Kriel (Bulls)

Solid all-around. Did well to pounce on a loose ball, spin out of a tackle and offload to Harold Vorster to score and produced a crucial jackal after a line break by Kasende.

10: Siya Masuku (Cheetahs)

Outshone Morne Steyn on the Bulls legend’s Loftus swansong, scoring 16 points including a scintillating solo try and kicking flawlessly off the tee. 

9: Sanele Nohamba (Lions)

Scored a dozen points and architected five more with good vision and a well-weighted grubber for Boldwin Hansen to dot down. Brave on defence, making a good, low tackle on Marquit September.

8: Friedle Olivier (Cheetahs) – Player of the Week

Supremely physical. Consistently took two Bulls with him and ran straight over Ruan Vermaak on one occasion. Shifted into the second row in the latter stages and never stopped grafting in a monstrous 80-minute performance.  

7: Marcel Theunissen (Western Province)

Continued his workhorse ways. Got through heaps of work and caught the Sharks and SuperSport cameramen by surprise with a quick tap to score.

6: JC Pretorius (Lions)

Drew first blood, almost had a second try, lethal in the trams, continued continuity with slick offloads, won a textbook jackal in his 22 and made a vital tackle on Soso Xakalashe.

5: Raynard Roets (Lions)

A late inclusion in the Lions’ starting line-up and seized the opportunity. Authoritative in the lineout, where he snatched one on the Griffons’ throw, and scored a late try in a busy 80-minute outing.

4: Ben-Jason Dixon (Western Province)

A skilful bruiser. Showcased some impressive soccer skills to dribble a loose ball and score and sunk his teeth into the Sharks, making some massive hits. 

3: Neethling Fouche (Western Province)

Fantastic energy from the Western Province skipper. Won a scrum penalty and had some slick touches, including a scooping offload that was vital in the lead-up to Hacjivah Dayimani’s try.

2: Jaco Visagie (Lions)

Good gas to beat two defenders and run 75-odd metres for a memorable try, clinical in the set pieces and threw in some outrageous offloads for good measure.

1: Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Had his way in the scrums, where he won two penalties, made some powerful carries and threw himself into tackles.