Cape Town - The Stormers sewed up a Super Rugby playoff spot with a bonus-point victory over the Force in a rain-soaked Perth. Rugby writer Wynona Louw rates the Cape side’s players.
Jaco Taute 7.5/10
Much improved from last week. Made some tackles and showed excellent hands and vision when he put Van Wyk away on his outside to score (after he fielded an up-field kick and opted to run the ball, by the way). He even fielded kicks on the run.
Kobus van Wyk 7/10
Beautiful kick to touch in the first quarter. He was rewarded for his great run straight down the right-hand touchline after Taute’s pass.
Daniel du Plessis N/A
I don’t know how you can “not be in a position to catch the ball” if you’re standing right under it and have your eyes clearly glued to it. He was stretchered off in the 10th minute after a jumping defender connected with his head AND, to top it off, he was showed yellow.
Damian de Allende 6/10
Quite quiet in the first half, but got the basics right. Dropped the ball in the tackle inside the Stormers 22. Nice grubber kick in the third quarter and strong ruck clean-out with eight minutes to go. He also won a turnover in the last minute. Once again missed some one-on-one tackles, though.
Leolin Zas 7/10
We saw much more of him in Perth. He fielded a Force kick and skillfully passed the ball to Du Plessis before going into touch. Chased kicks whenever he could. Strong run from Groom’s offload, even though he was taken down a few metres out. Also made good tackles.
Jean-Luc du Plessis 6/10
His performance didn’t match last week’s one, but he wasn’t bad. His distribution was good. Terrific clearance kick that found Marcel Brache out of place and gave Stormers the opportunity to gain some ground. Kickoff charged down that nearly led to trouble.
Nic Groom 8/10
Nicely caught a lineout ball that was flicked to the side by Etzebeth. Scrappy handling at the base of the ruck thereafter. One-on-one tackling stood out. Produced some fantastic runs – his one down the short side after receiving an inside pop from Notshe was the best. And, of course, his offload to Zas didn’t go unnoticed.
Schalk Burger 7.5/10
Against the Force he wasn’t as brilliant as against the Rebels, but it was still a good performance. He made his tackles and was everywhere. Was penalised for being offside at the ruck early in the match and for not releasing the ball in the second 40. He had a few nice lineout-takes. Peeled off nicely from a maul late in the game. Also put in a clever kick over the top. Tackling was good.
Siya Kolisi 7/10
He was much more involved than in his previous outing. Nice cover tackle a few metres from Stormers’ tryline. Some good work at the breakdowns. Showed off his strength when he rounded off a series of pick-and-drives with the Stormers’ second try, taking two defenders over with him.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe 7/10
Neatly gathered the ball after kick-off and made a few metres. His hard work at the breakdown with Kolisi that won the Stormers a turnover after a Force lineout (after Taute’s poor kick to touch) was superb. His quick collection of a loose ball after Pieter-Steph du Toit lost it after a lineout was also good. Great pop to Groom that set up his top run down the short side. His only fault was losing the ball forward in the last quarter.
Pieter-Steph du Toit 7.5/10
Solid at the lineouts (again) and made a few nice, strong carries (pulling two or three defenders with him more than once). Impressive off-the-ground offload that set up Groom’s run just before half-time. Also big on defence.
Eben Etzebeth 7/10
Put huge pressure on Force lineout and stole three balls. Was caught offside with Burger’s kick over the top (seems like he was not expecting it either). He made up for his infringement shortly afterwards with another steal at the lineout. Some good tackles.
Vincent Koch 8.5/10
He dived on loose balls. He made some great runs and he delivered smashing tackles. He was great in all aspects of play. He even kept up with Groom after his great run. And I don’t think I need to say much about his scrummaging.
Bongi Mbonambi 6.5/10
Other than the obligatory shocker in the second half, his lineout throws were on point. Made a few carries and some tackles.
Alistair Vermaak 6/10
Scrummaging was strong and he made a few good tackles, but he conceded too many penalties.
Scarra Ntubeni 6.5/10
Another Stormers man who needs to be schooled in one-on-one tackling. Good lineout throws, though. Made a few strong carries and also peeled off a maul after the second last lineout and took the ball up just short of the tryline.
Rynhardt Elstadt 8/10
Made his 50th Stormers appearance in style when he sent Chris Alcock flying after a powerful left fend. Made a massive impact. His tackling was first-class and his carrying was tops.
JP Smith 5/10
The scrums seemed to lose some stability when he came on.
Huw Jones 6.5/10
The way he danced around four tacklers was sensational. He really got involved.
Cape Argus