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DYLAN JACK identifies outstanding South African players based on their performances in the first round of the Currie Cup.
The first round of the Currie Cup brought dramatic victories for the Vodacom Bulls and Lions, while the Sharks were much more comfortable claiming a bonus point victory over a depleted Pumas team that did not have 11 players.
At Kimberley, the Lions came out of a 17-3 deficit to take a 20-17 lead against Griquas before the game was called off due to strong lightning. Meanwhile, a 14-man Bulls team put up a brave performance and scored a late converted try to snatch a 22-20 win over Western Province in Newlands.
There are seven Bulls players on this week’s team, including wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, who scored a couple of attempts, and center Cornal Hendricks, who defended his channel very well and prepared Arendse for his first attempt. Flyhalf Chris Smith also manages to get in after cunningly producing a last-gasp assist with a cross kick and then laying down the winning conversion from the touchline. There are three Bulls forwards in Ruan Nortje, who caught a crucial lineout near their own try line in the second half, prop Trevor Nyakane and hooker Johan Grobbelaar.
As disappointing as the loss would have been for Western Province, there were still some good performances against the Bulls, particularly from their forwards. Juarno Augustus and Ernst van Rhyn each scored a try and were strong on the carry, while Steven Kitshoff was once again one of the most impressive players in the park for the Cape side.
Despite the 45-10 score, the Sharks weren’t at their best against the Pumas, but Sbu Nkosi and Jeremy Ward each scored two attempts. Nkosi made an excellent impact as a substitute, with one of his attempts coming from a brilliant airborne kickoff. Ward, meanwhile, scored both of his attempts with good defensive readings, forcing the Pumas to make mistakes near their own shooting line.
The Lions could consider themselves lucky to have come out with the victory for Kimberley, as until the final 10 minutes of the first half, Griquas certainly had the best of the game. Zak Burger carried his Super Rugby Unlocked form, while Gideon van der Merwe was a nuisance in breaking Griquas. The Lions have a locked up manager, Willem Alberts, who typically got hurt in a tough game.
CURRIE CUP TEAM OF THE WEEK (Round 1)
15 David Kriel (Bulls)
14 Sbu Nkosi (sharks)
13 Jeremy Ward (Sharks)
12 Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls)
10 Chris Smith (Bulls)
9 Zak Burger (Griquas)
8 Juarno Augustus (Western Province)
7 Ernst van Rhyn (Western Province)
6 Gideon van der Merwe (Griquas)
5 Ruan Nortje (Bulls)
4 Willem Alberts (Lions)
3 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls)
2 Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)
1 Steven Kitshoff (Western Province)
* Note: The Free State Cheetahs had a bye in the first round of the Currie Cup
Photo: Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
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