We select a starting XV of players that shone following a dramatic weekend of Currie Cup semi-final action in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Front rankers: Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks), Jaco Visagie (Lions) and Wilco Louw (Bulls)
Mchunu didn’t have it all his own way at scrum time, but produced a fine overall showing for his side, while Louw was solid for the Bulls at set piece. Lions skipper Visagie was his typical warrior-like self during his 57 minutes on the Ellis Park pitch, and will have a chance to lift the famous trophy next week.
Second row: Emile van Heerden (Sharks) and Victor Sekekete (Cheetahs)
Van Heerden may have only played one-half at Loftus, but his charge-down try in the fifth-minute got the Sharks off to a fast start, while he also made eight tackles. The Cheetahs skipper Sekekete bagged a try himself and was impactful in a losing cause.
Back row: James Venter (Sharks), Ruan Venter and Jarod Cairns (both Lions)
Described as a “great Sharks man” by coach John Plumtree after their showdown at Loftus, Venter was an absolute machine for the Durbanites and scored what could have been the try of the weekend in a Man of the Match performance. The two Lions loose forwards on this list also bagged tries, with Cairns also named Man of the Match in Joburg and Venter as destructive as ever.
Halfbacks: Bradley Davids (Sharks) and Sanele Nohamba (Lions)
At a union that already has two Springbok scrumhalves to call on, Davids again pushed his case for URC game time at Kings Park with another solid outing at halfback, scoring a first-half try and remaining at the heart of the Sharks’ efforts. Nohamba’s introduction off the bench for the Lions on the 51-minute mark arguably won them the game, with the 25-year-old scoring 12 points – including two tries – to steal the show in Johannesburg.
Midfield: Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks) and Rynhardt Jonker (Lions)
Esterhuizen was brutal for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, scoring a try, making 95 carry meters and 12 tackles while Glenwood Old Boy Jonker produced a try assist and six tackles for the Lions.
Back three: Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Stravino Jacobs (Bulls) and Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks)
Hooker was as abrasive as ever after shifting from the midfield to the wing for the Sharks, putting in some big hits on defence and scoring an important third-quarter try for the visitors. Jacobs dotted down in extra-time to give the Bulls a sniff, and was heavily involved on both sides of the ball for the duration of the contest. While Quan Horn was good for the Lions, Hendrikse (yellow card aside) was fantastic for the Sharks, making some fine offloads and kicking well out of hand.
Currie Cup semi-final team of the week
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks)
2. Jaco Visagie (Lions)
3. Wilco Louw (Bulls)
4. Emile van Heerden (Sharks)
5. Victor Sekekete (Cheetahs)
6. James Venter (Sharks)
7. Ruan Venter (Lions)
8. Jarod Cairns (Lions)
9. Bradley Davids (Sharks)
10. Sanele Nohamba (Lions)
11. Ethan Hooker (Sharks)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
13. Rynhardt Jonker (Lions)
14. Stravino Jacobs (Bulls)
15. Jordan Hendrikse (Sharks)
