Following a 20-17 victory for the Sharks over the Bulls at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday, here are our winners and losers from the United Rugby Championship clash.
Winners
Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw
These South African derbies always have a Springboks subplot and there is no better way to convince Rassie Erasmus than to show it against your main competitors. Against fellow Boks front-rowers, including one of the best players in the world this year, Ox Nche, Steenekamp and Louw were magnificent.
It is rare to see Nche in particular go into reverse, but that is what Louw did, while Steenekamp utterly munched Koch, who was duly replaced early in the second period. Both Bulls props have earned Test recognition this year but, on this evidence, they could become real key cogs in 2025.
Ethan Hooker
Never not busy or bustling, the centre continues to shine in such illustrious company. There is lots to like from a physical standpoint, given his pace, balance and strength, but Hooker also has great game-awareness.
Hooker was excellent on both sides of the ball and was often the Sharks’ brightest outlet with ball in hand. It wasn’t a game full of attacking excellence but the youngster certainly made an impression in Durban on Saturday.
Elrigh Louw
There’s always a lot of talk about Cameron Hanekom, and quite rightly so, but Louw showed why he has become a regular in the Springboks squad this year. The back-rower is so effective at close quarters, whether it is carrying hard in attack or being a nuisance at the breakdown in defence.
In truth, they could play in the same Boks back-row given that they complement each other so well, but the strength in depth in South Africa is rather preventing that at the moment. However, should Louw – and Hanekom – continue to put in excellent displays, it may happen sooner rather than later.
Embrose Papier
Of all the players to miss out on Test selection, Papier is probably the most unfortunate. Several years ago, you could say there were weaknesses in their game, particularly around game control and the sharpness of pass from the base, but he has developed tremendously.
In a physical game between two absolutely loaded teams, where neither was giving an inch, Papier was outstanding. The Sharks tried to put him under pressure but the Bulls man was excellent in executing the scrum-half basics, while he showed his playmaking instincts by setting up Cobus Wiese’s try.
John Plumtree
No Siya Kolisi, no Eben Etzebeth, down to your fifth choice hooker but the Sharks still managed to beat a fully-loaded Bulls outfit. Plumtree has had his critics but this victory will delight both him and the team’s supporters, who watched on as the Sharks showed tremendous spirit and grit to emerge triumphant.
Sharks v Bulls: Five takeaways as Springboks props shown up and the toll of the never ending season
Losers
Vincent Koch
The whole Sharks front-row was put under severe pressure but evidently John Plumtree felt that the tighthead was the main culprit as he was replaced early in the second period. Koch was continually sent into reverse by Steenekamp as the Bulls dominated the scrum battle.
Credit must go to the Durban outfit for the fact they won the game despite their issues up front, but Koch and co. must rectify their issues if they are to be title challengers this season.
Sebastian de Klerk
The Bulls appeared to be in complete control but the wing then let the hosts back into it by an action which was quite frankly rather stupid. Purposefully knocking the ball dead has not been uncommon in recent years and, as a result, it’s quite staggering how many players still do it.
Under pressure, De Klerk was another to have a brain fade as instead of placing the ball down for a goal-line dropout, he knocked the ball away. A penalty try was awarded while the wing also copped a yellow card as the Sharks levelled matters at 17-17. With the hosts going on to win the game, it proved to be a costly error.
Siya Kolisi
Before the match, it was revealed that the Springboks captain had withdrawn and would not be taking his place at number eight. It certainly wasn’t ideal timing, with Kolisi on Friday linked with a move away from the Sharks, but his absence was due to injury.
It could well be a calf tear, however, which would be a significant blow for Plumtree’s side, who need Kolisi fit and firing if they want to challenge for silverware at the end of the campaign.
Johan Goosen
Fly-halves quite simply need to nail their kicks and the Bulls fly-half was awry with two key penalties at the end of the match. While they were difficult shots at goal, Goosen has to get at least one of them. At that point, it would have levelled the match and switched the pressure back onto the Sharks.
It wasn’t just goal-kicking which let him down either as Goosen struggled in general play. Despite the pack scrummaging superbly and half-back partner Papier having a stormer of a game at nine, he struggled to take control of proceedings.
Jake White
The pressure increases on the head coach, who saw his side succumb to a third consecutive defeat. Their losses in the Champions Cup to Saracens and Northampton Saints – despite fielding strong teams – raised questions and their inability to overcome a Sharks side missing several Springboks will also attract criticism.
They are still well-placed in the URC, with this just their second loss in seven matches, but the Pretoria outfit need to refind their form to convince the naysayers. You feel that only a trophy will do to quieten the critics.
READ MORE: Siya Kolisi in sudden late withdrawal for Sharks’ South African derby with Bulls
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sharks-v-bulls-winners-and-losers-as-springboks-stars-munched-and-pressure-increases-on-jake-white