Independent Media rugby writer Wynona Louw rates the Stormers players after their victory over the the
Southern Kings.
SP Marais 6/10:
Fumbled a high ball in the first half and followed it up with a very poor pass as he was driven into touch. That clearance kick in the first quarter was just plain bad. Nice offload to Dillyn Leyds in the first 40. Over the past two weeks he’s impressed with his running lines, but in the first half against the Kings he struggled to spot those gaps and instead ran straight into defenders a few times. And the fact that he got closed down quite effectively didn’t help either. He got some of his flair back in the second half and made a few good runs and offloads.
Dillyn Leyds 8.5:
What can be said about that try? Stunning display of pace and power to beat three defenders and fend one off. He also worked hard around the park as he made his tackles, secured a few high balls, got some nice passes away and excited with his running. Amazing offload to Marais in the third quarter. Try-saving tackle in the last 20. Worthy of the Man-of-the-Match award maybe?
EW Viljoen 6.5:
Clever kick after Oli Kebble’s pass, but it just went a little too far. Nice running and passing and his hands were also instrumental in Bjorn Basson’s try, just like Dan du Plessis’. Held onto the ball once or twice when passing would have been the better option. Also contributed on defence. Lost the ball early in the second half.
Dan du Plessis 7:
Some good work in the messy areas. A few well-timed, space-creating passes. Solid running that really helped the Stormers’ attacking cause. Hopefully we see more of him in the No 12 jersey.
Bjorn Basson 6:
Great thinking when he got taken down just short of the try line, released the ball and got back up on his feet before snatching it up to reach out and score. Swiftly moved down touch a few times. Intercepted a Kings pass. Made some good tackles.
Robert du Preez 6.5:
One good touch finder early on, and a bad one shortly afterwards. Top skip-pass to Leyds that set up his try. But WHAT WAS THAT from Du Preez in the 25th minute, where he caught the ball in his own half and passed it so far forward that even the Kings were confused? Missed two of the four conversions he took (to be fair, they were at an angle). But he played his part in the second half and had a good hand in two Stormers’ tries. Also stretched over for one of his own.
Dewaldt Duvenage 5.5:
Quickly to the ball and around the fringes at times. Gave an awkward pass that paused a promising Stormers attack. Some good tackling. Rushed pass to Leyds in the first quarter and a messy one to Basson in the second quarter. And those weren’t the only ones.
Nizaam Carr 6:
Nicely gathered a loose ball after a Kings scrum and safely got it away to Du Preez. Lost the ball in the tackle in the first half. Got involved where he could.
Sikhumbuzo Notshe 6:
Worked hard on defence. Secured the high ball well in the first quarter. Made a good break, but lost the ball in the tackle afterwards.
Rynhardt Elstadt 4.5:
He’s a bit of a liability when it comes to conceding penalties. He was lucky not to get a card for that scuffle that took quite long to break up (Eben Etzebeth was quite capable of handling it on his own, so why Elstadt got involved in the first place I do not understand). In between just pushing players around, he made some tackles. Again, not a great game. That try that he finished off was good, but that was about it.
Pieter-Steph du Toit 7:
Beautiful break and run in the first quarter before he went to ground all by himself still, a good run though. Made good carries. A lot of good work in that game.
Eben Etzebeth 8:
Fully deserving of that Man-of-the-Match title as he was a menace in the lineouts, made non-stop, big tackles and even ran a few impressive lines. Couldn’t have asked for a better game as stand-in skipper. He knocked the ball on in the third quarter. Other than that, all good.
Frans Malherbe 6.5:
Penalised for not releasing the ball early in the second half. Made a few strong tackles. Good scrummaging and also worked hard in open play.
Bongi Mbonambi 6.5:
His work at the lineouts can’t be faulted. Conceded a penalty early on as he joined the ruck from the side.
Oli Kebble 6.5:
Some strong running. Good pocket pass to Viljoen early in the game. Lost his bind in one of the early scrums.
Replacements (those who played 15-plus minutes):
RAMONE SAMUELS 3:
His lineout throws are problematic. Also chucked the ball away in the tackle.
JUSTIN PHILLIPS 6.5:
A good-enough debut. He made his tackles and looked for work. Conceded a penalty at the ruck shortly after coming on. Good offload to Viljoen for his try.
KURT COLEMAN 6.5:
Secured a turnover as soon as he came on. A good touch finder. Slotted his conversions.
DAMIAN WILLEMSE 8:
He wasn’t on the field at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium long enough to be rated, but I think he deserves one anyway. This kid impressed more in three minutes than many guys manage to in a whole game. His stepping was sublime and that off-the-ground offload was superb. Definitely one to watch.