Stormers thumped by Crusaders – We rate the players

Cheslin Kolbe stepped beautifully against the Crusaders, but he cost his team two tries by rushing out of line on defence. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Baker

Cheslin Kolbe stepped beautifully against the Crusaders, but he cost his team two tries by rushing out of line on defence. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Baker

Published Apr 24, 2017

Share

Independent Media rugby writer Wynona Louw rates the Stormers players after they were thumped by the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Dillyn Leyds 6/10:

He worked hard and looked to create something at times, but he was often just too hesitant. Caught in possession early on. Absolutely stunning run from his own half to get the Stormers into Crusaders’ 22 and beat two defenders with his pace in the process.

Cheslin Kolbe 6.5/10:

Huge tackle on David Havili after he gathered a high ball that secured possession for the Stormers, before they were penalised on the ground for reasons only Paul Williams will know. Exciting glimpses of his stepping ability early on. His intercept try was probably the best moment for the Stormers. Embarrassed at least three defenders when he made a beautiful break from the scrumhalf position to set up Frans Malherbe’s try. But he really can’t rush out of line on defence like he did on Saturday. It cost his team two tries.

EW Viljoen 5/10:

This was the first game where I’ve seen him miss tackles he just shouldn’t miss (like one on George Bridge just before his first try)...but he did make a few. That chip in the second quarter went straight into Crusaders hands. His kick to touch in the first half wasn’t great either. Lost the ball forward in the tackle when he tried to get the pass away early in the second half. Forward pass to Kolbe in the second half.

Dan Kriel 3.5/10:

Came on for Dan du Plessis in the 11th minute and didn’t contribute much. That pass into touch handed the Crusaders their eighth try when Manasa Mataela capitalised on the blunder.

Bjorn Basson 5/10:

Other than the one and a half tackles I saw him make, and that one good high-ball take, he was nowhere in the first half. Did well to round off the Stormers’ second try (with a decent fend) in the second. Missed a tackle on Pete Samu before his try.

Robert du Preez 6/10:

Missed his first kick at goal. Good high-ball take in the second half followed by a just-as-good one-handed offload to Viljoen on his outside. Shocking isn’t the word to describe whatever he tried on Havili before he broke through and gained huge ground.

Dewaldt Duvenage 5/10:

He really needs to start assessing his options before just putting the ball to boot one of his box kicks was charged down early on and he sliced another one badly. Kicks too much possession away.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe 6/10:

Penalised for being offside in the first quarter. There was some great counter-rucking from him and replacement forward Cobus Wiese early in the second half, and he worked hard on the ground in general. Gained good ground when he carried the ball. Missed two tackles. Conceded a penalty at a ruck.

Pieter-Steph du Toit 6/10:

Made a few strong tackles. That pass he missed from Oli Kebble handed Pete Samu his try on a platter he just added the run. But to be fair, it wasn’t the best of passes from Kebble. Gained decent ground when he carried the ball.

Nizaam Carr 6.5/10:

Made a few decent carries and tackles, especially when he took Havili down and drove him into touch after the fullback managed to step past three Stormers players. Good give to Malherbe for his try.

Chris van Zyl 4/10:

Conceded a penalty for obstruction in the second quarter. Other than a few tackles, he didn’t do much in the 40 minutes he was on the field.

Eben Etzebeth 6.5/10:

It was good to see him not get involved in off-the-ball brawls. He was big on defence with those driving-back tackles. Good work at the lineouts and made some big carries. Snatched a Crusaders lineout ball in the second half. Horrible pass to Basson just before his tryand no, that was not a bouncing pass.

Wilco Louw 5/10:

Conceded a scrum penalty in the second half. Made two good carries. Didn’t miss a tackle, but then again, he didn’t make too many.

Bongi Mbonambi 6/10:

Missed a pass from Kolbe next to touchhe looked like he wasn’t expecting it. His lineout throws were certainly better than against the Lions last week. Made a few tackles.

JC Janse van Rensburg 5.5/10:

Lost the ball forward in the tackle. Made a few tackles, including one dominant one, something seldom seen from the Stormers.

@WynonaLouw

Cape Times

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Related Topics: