International Rugby

2024 Autumn Nations Series: Week 4 TotW

Now that the dust has settled after the fourth week of the Autumn Nations Series, Shaun Goosen reveals his best XV of the weekend.

by
Shaun Goosen
November 26, 2024

Now that the dust has settled after the fourth week of the Autumn Nations Series, Shaun Goosen reveals his best XV of the weekend.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Front rankers: Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw (all SA)

The Bok starting front row (ably assisted by their replacements in the second half) positively manhandled their Welsh counterparts, with du Toit’s job on Bath teammate Archie Griffin seeing Warren Gatland hook the youngster before halftime. Louw was just as destructive on the tighthead side, while Grobbelaar also contributed to the side by hitting all nine of his darts and making big inroads with ball in hand.

Honourable mention: Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax (both NZ), Jamie George (England)

Second row: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) and Franco Mostert (SA)

Two No 5s this week, with Beirne making 12 tackles and 23 metres on attack. Mostert was named Man of the Match in Cardiff after scoring a try, making 12ntackles and getting himself stuck into everything he could during his 80 minutes of action.

Back row: Francois Cros (France), Jac Morgan (Wales) and Jasper Wiese (SA)

Cros made 21 carry metres, 15 tackles and two turnovers in Saint-Denis, while Morgan deserves some credit in a losing cause after putting in a massive 28 tackles, winning a turnover and making 15 -metres against the Springboks. Wiese had another strong showing in his hour on the Cardiff pitch, constantly ramming into Welsh jerseys and making as many as 69 metres in the end.

Honourable mentions: Charles Ollivon (France)

Halfbacks: Craig Casey (Ireland) and Finn Russell (Scotland)

Casey made the most of his rare start at No 9, scoring a try, knocking over a conversion and making one clean break in a highly effective outing. Russell was on song against the Wallabies as he sought to make an early claim for the British & Irish Lions No 10 jumper ahead of next year’s tour Down Under. He finished with a try, two conversions and a penalty while showing some nice touches on attack.

Honourable mention: Cam Roigard (NZ)

Midfield: Bundee Aki (Ireland) and Ollie Lawrence (England)

Aki scored a try, made 77 carry metres and four clean breaks in a Man of the Match showing against Fiji while Lawrence was very good against Japan, scoring a try, making 43 metres with the ball, one clean break and nine tackles.

Honourable mentions: Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel (both SA), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

Back three: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France), Kurt-Lee Arendse (SA) and Will Jordan (NZ)

Another try for the electric Bielle-Biarrey on the weekend, one of those rare players that can conjure something out of nothing. Arendse was an ever-present threat for the Boks against Wales, scoring one try and assisting two more in a display that saw him make 82 metres. Jordan, Man of the Match in La Nucía, dotted down, made 66 metres with ball in hand and two clean breaks.

Honourable mention: Cheslin Kolbe (SA), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)