European Rugby Champions Cup Select Squad - Round 16 Matches
Plundering Loftus Versfeld:
Kurt-Lee Arendse torched Loftus Versfeld as the Bulls trampled Lyon 59-19, punching their ticket for the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals for the initial time on Saturday. Quintin van Jaarsveld pens the report.
The Stormers came painfully near to ousting two-time defending champions La Rochelle in a brutal nail-biter in Cape Town, where Manie Libbok fell short on a last-gasp conversion, giving the visitors a 22-21 victory.
As a consequence, our South African European Rugby Champions Cup Team of the Week comprises 10 Bulls and 5 Stormers.
Bet Now: Rugby### 15: Willie le Roux (Bulls)
With a keen sense of spatial awareness, as demonstrated by his try-assist for Sebastian de Klerk, scored one himself, and was clutch on defense, making two try-saving tackles, one on Thaakir Abrahams and the other on Alfred Parisien.
14: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls)
The previous Pumas player is in high gear in Pretoria. Scored a try in each half and worked tirelessly across the pitch.
13: Dan du Plessis (Stormers)
Offered a blend of meat and char. Consistently outmaneuvered more than one defender with his strength and offloaded in contact, while he was exceptional on defense.
12: Damian Willemse (Stormers)
A big-name, big-game player who delivered big-name, big-game moments. At the epicenter of most of the Stormers' best sequences, including his divine hand in Herschel Jantjies' try. Racked up a match-high 109 meters from seven carries.
11: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls) - Player of the Week
Thrust himself into the action with panache. Created a try for Embrose Papier on transitional play, ignited two more scores with dazzling counter-attacks, raced for a match-high unrivaled 118 meters, beat a match-best nine defenders, and made a telltale tackle on Lyon captain Jordan Taufua.
10: Johan Goosen (Bulls)
Executed with freedom and thrived because of it. Made a few elusive runs, distributed brilliantly, and chipped into space. Nailed 5/6 kicks at goal.
9: Embrose Papier (Bulls)
A whirlwind. Sparked several attacks with dangerous darts, scored a brace, was fast and crisp with his service, and his exit kicks were good.
8: Elrigh Louw (Bulls)
A robust workhorse exceptional. Made a match-best 13 carries for 67 meters (the most by a forward) and 12 tackles, the second-most by a Bulls player.
7: Reinhardt Ludwig (Bulls)
Provided numerous dynamic runs in an energetic display. Inspired by his fellow loose forwards and elevated his game to match their level.
6: Marcell Coetzee (Bulls)
Showed notable prowess in the physicality department. Broke tackles, made forceful hits, and cleaned vigorously. Delivered impressive support play to be in the right place and power his way over for a try, and made an impact tackle on Abrahams.
5: Ruben van Heerden (Stormers)
Another outstanding performance by arguably the most consistent player in the country this season. His engine never ceases to astound, as he made an unrivaled 17 tackles.
4: Ruan Vermaak (Bulls)
Played the enforcer role well. Did a lot of grunt work, barreled over from five meters out, and put pressure on the lineouts.
3: Neethling Fouche (Stormers)
Took on young Louis Penverne at scrum time, featured in the trenches, and cleaned with power and purpose.
2: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)
Was ubiquitous with his red scrum cap and stood out on defense, where he made a team-high 13 hits, including a crucial tackle on Monty Ioane. Landed his lineout throws accurately.
1: Brok Harris (Stormers)
The veteran led the scrums in the first half and tirelessly put in a tremendous amount of work before he began to tire around the 50-minute mark. Made 13 tackles, second only to Van Heerden, before finally being substituted in the 70th minute.
BullsDamian WillemseDavid KrielEditor’s FavoriteEuropean Rugby Champions CupLionsNewsRugbySharksStormersQuintin van JaarsveldQuintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com, and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.
- The Bulls' impressive victory in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-finals has set the stage for exciting sports predictions, with many considering them contenders for the Champions League title.
- As the European leagues gear up for qualifiers, football fans are keeping a close eye on the Bulls' performance, hoping to see them advance further in the Champions League.
- In the realm of sports betting, the Bulls' impressive showing in the European Rugby Champions Cup has made them a popular pick among enthusiasts for both the Champions League and the football Champions League.
