Following a drama-filled Saturday of action in the Rugby World Cup warm-up games, we’ve had a discussion and settled on our Team of the Week.
There’s six Springboks in the line-up with Ireland next highest in terms of representation on three, with Italy, France and Fiji making up the rest of the team.
Rugby World Cup warm-ups Team of the Week
15 Ange Capuozzo (Italy): The excitement machine cut loose against 14-man Romania as he scored two tries on the day in a scintillating performance. France’s Melvyn Jaminet was player of the match against Fiji while Willie le Roux impressed for the Boks, but Capuozzo’s 248 running metres is a staggering figure.
14 Mack Hansen (Ireland): Another unlucky Springbok to miss out on the side is Canan Moodie, who was superb with two tries in Cardiff. But the sheer hunger from Hansen defensively and with ball in hand stood out as he won the player of the match award against England. He never stopped in Dublin with a great kick-pass try assist in the first half followed up by a well-taken try of his own in the second as Hansen gets the nod in our number 14 jersey.
13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa): A mention to Italy’s Juan Ignacio Brex and Garry Ringrose of Ireland, but there was only going to be one winner here as Kriel was outstanding for South Africa. Lukhanyo Am’s injury was a worry not too long ago but Kriel’s performance has helped ease those concerns.
12 Semi Radradra (Fiji): A strong showing from the box office centre as he enjoyed a try-scoring outing against France, albeit on the losing side. Bundee Aki (Ireland) and Damian de Allende (South Africa) also caught the eye but we settled on the former Bristol Bears star after his tireless carrying work.
11 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa): A joy to watch. Kolbe puts bums on seats in stadiums and then gets them off it and that was certainly the case in Cardiff on Saturday. The Welsh could not lay a glove on the Springbok as he showed off his footwork to tire the defence and ultimately create space for others.
10 Ross Byrne (Ireland): A tricky decision at fly-half as we were impressed by Antoine Hastoy, Manie Libbok and Paolo Garbisi. Libbok was probably closest to snatching this jersey but his goal-kicking dragged him down somewhat in an otherwise solid display. Byrne though gave a decent account of himself with ball in hand and set up James Lowe’s try with a wonderful pass and did likewise for Hansen as he enjoyed his day behind a solid pack.
9 Jaden Hendrikse (South Africa): Marked his return from injury and compassionate leave with an arm-chair ride behind his pack, but take nothing away from Hendrikse as he set up a try and played his part in the win. Maxime Lucu, Jamison Gibson-Park and Frank Lomani earn mentions.
8 Jasper Wiese (South Africa): Into the pack and Ireland’s Cian Prendergast and France’s Gregory Alldritt certainly caught our eye. However, before that duo took to the field Wiese put in a barnstorming performance in the Green and Gold, making carries that regularly put his side on the front foot.
7 Levani Botia (Fiji): It was close to being an all-Springbok back-row but Siya Kolisi‘s 40 minutes, while brilliant in his comeback game, could not oust Botia from this jersey. Sekou Macalou also stood out for France in his cameo off the bench but Botia was rock solid for Fiji in Nantes.
6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa): One of the easiest calls in our side, Du Toit is nearing his World Rugby Player of the Year form as he gave Wales a torrid time in Cardiff, carrying 14 times for 41 metres. Such a complete forward when on song, he gets in well ahead of England’s Courtney Lawes.
5 Dino Lamb (Italy): A tough call to leave out RG Snyman after his 80-minute showing for the Boks but the performance of Lamb for Italy was hard to ignore. 70 metres ran from nine carries that include two line breaks caught the eye as the Harlequin is the second Azzurri player to make our line-up.
4 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): Another close decision with a Springbok missing out, this time Jean Kleyn is the unlucky party. However, Beirne’s combination with James Ryan impressed us and it wasn’t just in possession that he made his mark against England as he also racked up a massive 16 tackles.
3 Uini Atonio (France): A try-scoring outing from the big French tighthead and while it was from close range it took some scoring. It was a great finish from Atonio right on half-time which crucially sent France into the break with a welcome cushion. Frans Malherbe was next in line for this spot.
2 Peato Mauvaka (France): South Africa’s front-row all had strong games and Malcolm Marx certainly enjoyed his with an early try. However, Mauvaka was a level above on a rare start with 16 tackles backed up with seven carries for 37 metres that included the opening try of their victory in Nantes.
1 Steven Kitshoff (South Africa): Last but by no means least, our loosehead is ‘Spicy Plum’ himself. He could prove the signing of the season when he joins up with Ulster after the World Cup, but before that he has other business to attend to and is in fine form for the Boks ahead of their title defence.
READ MORE: Ireland v England: Five takeaways from the Rugby World Cup warm-up as Red Rose plummet to new low
The article Springboks feature heavily in our Rugby World Cup warm-ups Team of the Week appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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