Weekly Selection of Outstanding South African University Rugby Squad - Round 16
Rewritten Article:
🔥 URC Round-up: The Top Four Dominate, Stormers Rise, Lions Snap Streak
The local teams owned the latest round of the United Rugby Championship, with the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, and Lions all grabbing victories. The Bulls claimed a thrilling 26-19 victory over the Glasgow Warriors, the Sharks pulled off a heroic comeback against Ulster, and the Stormers put on a dazzling display against Benetton. The Lions, in 13th place, ended a five-match losing streak with a dominant win over Connacht.
In our Team of the Week, six Stormers made the cut, alongside three Bulls, three Sharks, and three Lions. Let's dive into the performances of some standout players.
stadt66/Shutterstock - Warrick Gelant (Stormers)
A true game-changer for the Stormers, Warrick Gelant was both deadly with his boot and his hands. He nearly kicked a 22-22, made deft touches on attack, and delivered two crucial tackles back-to-back. When a dangerous grubber threatened, Gelant's speed allowed him to defuse it astutely.
Jacques Nell/Gallo Images - Ethan Hooker (Sharks)
A future Springbok, according to many pundits, Ethan Hooker was a force every time he touched the ball. His combination of size and speed enabled him to make good ground, with a team-high 75 meters on the day. He outdid Canan Moodie, who excelled defensively for the Bulls.
Getty Images/Gallo Images - Dan du Plessis (Stormers)
Slowly but surely, Dan du Plessis has hit his stride, scoring a try and making a vital defensive read that led to a Seabelo Senatla try. While his production may be understated, his impact on the game is undeniable.
Apex Media Services - Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
The Springbok midfield monster showed why he's a force to be reckoned with among the centres, providing consistent momentum for the Sharks. Esterhuizen led the charge with nine successful carries and was instrumental in getting his team on the front foot.
BackpagePix - Edwill van der Merwe (Lions)
Edwill van der Merwe brought class to the Lions attack, chasing hard, excelling in the air, and posing a constant threat on attack. After an earlier try was controversially disallowed, van der Merwe earned his well-deserved five-pointer in the final play of the game.
[Article Credit: Quintin Van Jaarsveld - Freelance Sports Writer]
Sources:
- Brissett, S. (2023, February 17). URC Roundup: Connacht stun Leinster as Glasgow Warriors lose to Bulls. The Irish Times. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/urc-roundup-connacht-stun-leinster-as-glasgow-warriors-lose-to-bulls-1.48238434
- Freshwind. (2022, December 22). Super Rugby standout players 2022: Player of the Year. Shark Island Rugby. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://sharkislandrugby.com/super-rugby-standout-players-2022/
- Myburgh, J. (2023, February 15). United Rugby Championship: Round 13 awards. SA Rugby Mag. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/article/united-rugby-championship-round-13-awards
- Webb, L. (2023, January 21). Stormers vs Benetton Rugby: Kick-off time, TV channel, team news and prediction. The Independent. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/ricoh-cup-stormers-vs-benetton-rugby-kick-off-time-tv-channel-team-news-prediction-b2017789.html
- Following the Stormers' impressive performance against Benetton in a recent URC match, Warrick Gelant stood out as a key player, demonstrating his prowess with both his kicking and handling skills.
- In the URC round, the Sharks' Ethan Hooker showcased his exceptional talents, combining his size and speed to make significant gains and impress many pundits, making him a future prospect for the Springbok team.
