Stormers player ratings: Kolbe on top again

CAPE TOWN - Independent Media rugby writer Wynona Louw has rated Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe as the best performing Stormers players in Saturday's Super Rugby quarter-final against the Chiefs.

SP Marais 7/10:

He found territory with the boot a number of times. But I don’t understand why he sometimes runs right into defenders before looking to pass instead of getting the ball away while he can. Contributed to the Stormers’ score with his penalties.

Cheslin Kolbe 7.5/10:

His work rate was tops yet again, and he contributed a few exciting moments. He humiliated Solomon Alaimalo, Aaron Cruden and Tawera Kerr-Barlow out wide with that unbelievable series of side steps just before halftime. I mean, he left them grabbing at nothing, literally. He also broke through a couple of tackles. One or two good high-ball takes.

Where do I start so many memories made in this wonderful world. Family ✅ Friends✅ Friends that became family ✅ Its always been a dream to represent WP & The Stormers growing up, I am absolutely humbled and honoured that my dream came true. Newlands will always have a special place in my heart. I have had the best time and I can only thank God for his overflowing blessings over my life. Thank you to all the loyal supporters and to all my sponsors for backing me since day 1. I will always treasure it and to those that have the same dream, don't let any doubt or negativity come between you and your dream. If you believe it you can achieve it. Here's to new beginnings 🙏⚪🔵😢

A post shared by cheslin kolbe (@cheslin15) on Jul 23, 2017 at 4:32am PDT

EW Viljoen 6/10:

Gave a great, quick pass to Kolisi for his try, but it wasn’t his best game.

Damian de Allende 7/10:

Made a few metres and gave a few good passes. He made a lot of tackles and he missed only one. Conceded a penalty.

Dillyn Leyds 6.5/10:

He of course didn’t cause the kind if havoc he did against the Cheetahs, the Sunwolves and the Bulls, but he didn’t have a bad one. He made a few nice runs and delivered a few good passes.

Damian Willemse 6/10:

He showed good control again, and he also looked good when he had the ball in hand (although he couldn’t do much). He was massive on defence again and he made a great break early in the game, but his offload just went forward. However, it has to be said that he made just too many handling errors.

Dewaldt Duvenage 5.5/10:

He just didn’t make an impact, not at all. Jano Vermaak was surely missed.

Nizaam Carr 7/10:

He was huge with ball in hand as he made a few superb line breaks that he followed up with some good runs. He also produced a few great passes and he made a lot of tackles. Conceded one turnover.

Rynhardt Elstadt 7/10:

Nicely scooped up a loose ball in the first half. He worked hard on defence. Two handling errors.

Siya Kolisi 7/10:

I wonder if Brodie Retallick is still feeling that spot tackle Kolisi hit him with as early as the first minute. That forced the All Black lock to lose the ball forward and the Stormers gained a scrum. But, he also missed a few. Made a few good runs.

Pieter-Steph du Toit 7.5/10:

Very good game. He made a number of good, strong runs and he was the Stormers’ top tackler, and a few of those were really, really good - like that ball-dislodging one on Kerr-Barlow. But he was also guilty of five handling errors.

Eben Etzebeth 7.5/10:

Watching this man run and drag a few defenders with him every time never gets old. But that’s not all he did, he also made a solid contribution on defence.

Frans Malherbe 5.5/10:

Other than a decent scrummaging effort, there’s really nothing else I can commend him for. He didn’t contribute much in open play.

Bongi Mbonambi 6.5/10:

I don’t know what that lineout overthrow was early on. We saw a few nice runs from him and he even broke the line once. Massive contribution on defence, but he also conceded two turnovers and made four handling errors.