The in-form SA stars set to decide URC playoff race

SPOTLIGHT: As the Race to the Eight intensifies, we turn our attention to the individuals driving their teams forward in the United Rugby Championship.

From game-breakers to workhorses, we highlight seven standout South African players whose form could prove decisive in shaping the United Rugby Championship playoff picture.

Friday, April 17, will see the Dragons host the Bulls at Rodney Parade in the only match involving a South African team.

On Saturday, 18 April, the Stormers will host Connacht at Cape Town Stadium, the Lions will enjoy home-ground advantage against log-leaders Glasgow Warriors, and the Sharks will run out against Ospreys at Morganstone Brewery Field.

With the local teams now zoomed in on the four remaining rounds of the URC after their Champions Cup and Challenge Cup exits, we look at seven players who have been standouts for their respective URC teams and who will be key heading into the last four rounds.

1. Evan Roos

There are two ways players usually return from injury – lacking in prior form with a hint (or a lot) of trepidation, or like they never left. Evan Roos is without a doubt the latter.

The 26-year-old has been sensational for the Stormers since making his return early last year from the shoulder surgery that sidelined him for six months.

He has consistently been a top performer for John Dobson’s Stormers and is the leading try-scorer in the competition.

Form like that cannot be ignored for long.

2. Paul de Villiers

Serial Man of the Match, natural leader, breakdown specialist…call him what you will, but one thing he cannot be called is ordinary.

Be it at the breakdown, in the tackle, or eating metres with ball in hand, De Villiers has made it clear that he is one for the future and one of the Stormers’ most valuable players at present.

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SA teams brace for defining URC Round 15 in playoff racehttps://t.co/7LDZ3DSE2X

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3. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu finds himself at the centre of a host of “should have, could have” conversations where the Cape side’s Champions Cup Round of 16 match is concerned.

The flyhalf featured off the bench for the Stormers in their agonising 28-27 defeat against Toulon, with Jurie Matthee running out in the No.10 jersey.

Despite the fire he brought on attack, yet again, and how instrumental he was in two of the Stormers’ tries, he copped heavy flak for not opting for a dropped goal in the build-up to Adre Smith’s try that was ruled held-up.

Dobson has since come out in defence of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, explaining that a dropped goal was never in the plan, but alas, that made no difference to those who have seemingly forgotten about every other bit of brilliance he’s brought and how he’s often come through when it mattered most, instead clinging onto something they feel should have happened.

Keyboard warriors be gone.

4. Embrose Papier

Death, taxes, and Embrose Papier delivering a superb performance. Those are the three certainties in life.

Papier’s season needs no introduction. He has been next-level for the Bulls week in and week out, with every performance raising the question of what more he needs to do to earn a Bok call-up.

Warranted.

5. Jeandre Rudolph

It seems that props aren’t the only players who get better with age.

The 31-year-old back-row forward has been one of the most consistent performers for the Bulls this season and has won more turnovers (17) than any other player in the competition.

His work rate is immense; his engine doesn’t have an off switch. And while he may have been an unheralded hero with some of his former teams, his contributions for the Bulls have seen him garner the credit he deserves.

And to think he almost called it a day just one year ago.

6. Chris Smith

Can this list even be considered complete without the Lions’ Mr Reliable?

The flyhalf is the leading points scorer by a mile, with his tally of 123 well above his nearest rival in that area, Feinberg-Mngomezulu with 89.

But goal-kicking prowess isn’t the only factor Smith has brought to the Lions this season.

His territorial game has added another dimension to the Lions’ exciting brand, and as they continue their quest to lock down their first-ever URC play-off spot, it’s tough to think of a man more crucial than Smith.

7. Phepsi Buthelezi

Bok skipper Siya Kolisi makes his return to the squad after overcoming a calf niggle, but even if Phepsi Buthelezi gets the nod, it would by no means be a strange selection.

The versatile Buthelezi’s pace and high work rate, combined with his abilities at the lineout and his try-line navigation skills, make him one of the Sharks’ key men.

And if the breakdown is an area the men from Durban want to top Ospreys in, particularly considering their turnover threat, he would be anything but the wrong choice.