Team of the Week: Future Stars
The Currie Cup is into the second round and with all the Springboks away on national duty, the door opens up for other players to step-up.
In the first match of the weekend the Bulls outmuscled Griquas, and a number of Pretoria players make the team on that note. Ruhan Nel was a stand-out performer for the men from Kimberly.
The Golden Lions were made to work hard against the Pumas but came away with a second consecutive bonus-point victory. Jaco Kriel, Howard Mnisi and Julie Redelinghuys were among some of the Lions that received the honours.
In the Newlands snore-fest Western Province defeated Free-State Cheetahs. It came down to the boot of the flyhalves to secure the win. Unsurprisingly not many from that game made their way into the Team of the Week.
Kings park proved to be an entertaining affair – the EP Kings nearly upsetting the Sharks. A future star – Tim Agaba, made a name for himself in Durban.
Team of the Week: Currie Cup, Round Two:
15 – Warrick Gelant (Blue Bulls): The South Africa Under-20 superstar delivered a solid performance at the back, was a devastating runner and lethal with the boot.
Bubbling under: Cheslin Kolbe (Western Province)
14 – Ruhan Nel (Griquas): The Sevens speedster has been a huge boost to the men from Kimberly. He was difficult to bring down and scored a sweet intercept try with defenders hot on his heels
Bubbling under: Courtnall Skosan (Golden Lions)
13 – Harold Vorster (Golden Lions): Claims the outside centre spot. Vorster didn't miss one tackle, beat six defenders, made four clean line-breaks and put the cherry on top with a five-pointer.
Bubbling under: William Small-Smith (Blue Bulls)
12 – Howard Mnisi (Golden Lions): Picked as a combo with Vorster – Mnisi is a destructive runner with nifty footwork. One to watch this Currie Cup.
Bubbling under: Stefan Watermeyer (Pumas)
11 – Jamba Ulengo (Blue Bulls): The big wing keeps the tries rolling in and is certainly making a name for himself already after two rounds.
Bubbling under: Luther Obi (Eastern Province)
10 – Tian Schoeman (Blue Bulls): Schoeman impressed well for the second-week in a row, as he contributed 21 points off the kicking tee – slotting four penalties and two conversions to go with his try.
Bubbling under: Marnitz Boshoff (Golden Lions)
9 – Francois Hougaard (Blue Bulls): Starting to find his feet at No.9 again. Hougaard boasted snappy delivery, kept defenders on their toes around the rucks and scored a try.
Bubbling under: Enrico Acker (Eastern Province)
8 – Tim Agaba (Eastern Province): The No.8 made a name for himself in the game with an all-round robust performance. He has pace, agility, strength and a massive engine. Another one to watch.
Bubbling under: Philip van der Walt (Sharks)
7 – Daniel du Preez (Sharks): A bruising performance from the blindside flank. Du Preez put in big hits, made a couple of line-breaks and was the finisher of a rolling maul try.
Bubbling under: Pieter Labuschagne (Blue Bulls)
6 – Jaco Kriel (Golden Lions): Consecutively in the Team of the Week, Kriel again delivered a dynamic, hard-running, skilful performance. Easily slotting into his new leadership role. Showed again why he should be in World Cup contention.
Bubbling under: Rynhardt Elstadt (Western Province)
5 – Marvin Orie (Blue Bulls): A pillar of strength in the line-outs and a hard ball-carrier.
Bubbling under: Martin Muller (golden Lions)
4 – Franco Mostert (Golden Lions): He was enforcing at his best making tackles, hitting rucks and carrying well.
Bubbling under: Steven Sykes (Eastern Province)
3 – Julian Redelinghuys (Golden Lions): He was all over the park for a big man, making tackles and cleaning out the breakdown.
Bubbling under: Tom Botha (Eastern Province)
2 – Malcolm Marx (Golden Lions): The youngster is starting to step-up and play the rugby we know he can. Scrummed well and was always in support.
Bubbling under: Jaco Visagie (Blue Bulls)
1 – Oliver Kebble (Western Province): In a wet and muddy Newlands he held his own in the scrums and carried the ball seven times.
Bubbling under: Schalk Ferreira (Eastern Province)
Our individual selections!
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Stefan Watermeyer, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Enrico Acker, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Oliver Kebble.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ruhan Nel, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Andrew Duncan XV: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Courtnell Skosan, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Howard Mnisis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Tim Agaba, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Oliver Kebble.
