Independent Media rugby writer Wynona Louw rates the Stormers following their 44-31 win over the Sunwolves in Singapore...
Dillyn Leyds 7.5/10:
He produced a strong performance at fullback as he built on his fine form. Brilliant run from own 22 before that off-the-ground offload to Dewaldt Duvenage before EW Viljoen’s try.
Good under the high ball and with the boot. Made crucial tackles and thrilled with his running. Stunning grubber to Bjorn Basson in the first half. Penalised for not releasing the ball early in the game, although he released it and got back up on his feet before playing it again. Anyway, I’m not a ref, so let’s leave that one.
Bjorn Basson 6/10:
Lost control of the ball in the in-goal area after that grubber by Leyds and knocked it on (he should have just kept the ball in both hands there). Made a few good tackles, but also a bit too hesitant with some and missed a few. Picked up the Stormers’ last try.
EW Viljoen 6.5/10:
Beautifully scooped up the ball for the Stormers’ first try. Showed some good running and made his tackles. Passed the ball straight into the hands of a defender in the second quarter. A few good running lines.
Dan Kriel 5/10:
Made a few strong carries. Getting the basics right, but he’s just not making enough of an impact. Lost the ball in the tackle after some good work by the Stormers, and the Sunwolves turned possession over, and lost it in the tackle again in the second quarter. His tackle attempt on Carpenter in the build-up to the Sunwolves’ second try was just poor.
Seabelo Senatla 6/10:
The sevens sensation produced some exciting running, but he just couldn’t get that space on the outside that he needed. Made some big tackles and really looked like he wanted to get involved. Conceded a penalty in the first half. Had one of his kicks charged down. His run down touch and offload to Dan du Plessis as he was taken into touch set up Duvenage’s try.
Robert du Preez 7.5/10:
One of the stand-outs in Singapore as he mixed his game up well. Produced a superb break, followed by a strong run in the build-up to Duvenage’s try. His kicking record was tops – missed only one of his seven kicks at goal.
He also got a few very good passes away (though he fumbled one in the second quarter) and his chip that was gathered by Viljoen was great. Good inside pass to Chris van Zyl leading up to their first try. Bad tackle attempt on Shota Emi before his try.
Dewaldt Duvenage 7/10:
Energetic performance with some good tackles and nice, quick passes. Burst through the defence and gained some good ground in the first 10 minutes. Nicely collected the ball after a Sunwolves grubber in the first quarter, but couldn’t get the ball away.
Made two mistakes in the build-up to Sunwolves’ first try. His exciting run was followed by a perfectly-executed offload to JD Schickerling before Viljoen’s try. Overall a solid performance. Sharp thinking when he spotted a gap around the fringes to score his try. Good kicking game.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe 6/10:
Nicely tapped the ball back after the kickoff in the first quarter. Made a number of good, hard carries, but should vary his angles of running more. Had a rather quiet game.
Siya Kolisi 7/10:
Very influential performance. Worked hard. Stopped some trouble when he snatched the ball off the ground after a fumbled Sunwolves pass in the 22 and turned possession over for his team. Good run after securing the ball at the ruck early on. Made a few crucial tackles.
Stormers captain Siya Kolisi made some crucial interventions on defence and attack. Photo: Wallace Woon, EPA
Rynhardt Elstadt 5/10:
I honestly don’t know what he was thinking when he decided to spear into Willie Britz’s legs with that no-arm tackle in the build-up to Derek Carpenter’s try. Lost the ball in the tackle. Dived over for the Stormers’ second try.
JD Schickerling 6/10:
Nicely stole a lineout ball in the first half. Great offload to Du Preez to keep the Stormers’ attack alive leading up to their first.
Chris van Zyl 6/10:
Penalised for an intentional knock-on in the first half. Missed a tackle before Liaki Moli’s try. Got involved and made a few carries.
Wilco Louw 6/10:
His scrummaging can’t be faulted. Made strong tackles that drove the opposition back. Powered over for his try.
Bongi Mbonambi 6.5/10:
Stopped a dangerous Sunwolves moment by reaching out for the ball above his head. Cleverly broke from the maul and gained good ground leading up to Viljoen’s almost-try. Supported Louw well for his try. Also crashed over for one of his own.
JC Janse van Rensburg 6/10:
Worked hard around the park as he made his tackles and contributed on the ground.
Standout replacement:
Dan du Plessis 6.5/10:
Worked hard. Controlled the ball well leading up to Duvenage’s try. Made strong tackles and a few good carries. Great hands near the corner flag almost led to a try.