We select the standout players from the second round of the Rugby Championship after the Springboks’ second win over Australia in Perth and the All Blacks’ bounceback against Argentina in Auckland.
Props: Taimati Williams (NZL) and Thomas du Toit (RSA)
The 144kg Williams had a field day at scrum time in Auckland, powering the All Black pack forward in a memorable showing at loosehead, while Bath’s Thomas du Toit was as solid as ever at set piece and made a fantastic 11 tackles during his time on the pitch.
Hooker: Malcolm Marx (RSA)
While Johan Grobbelaar had a great game for the Boks as their starting hooker and Codie Taylor was good for New Zealand, Marx’s impact off the bench in Perth was palpable. Two tries and some hard graft on both sides of the ball went a long way to securing a bonus point win for the double world champions.
Second row: Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje (both RSA)
Bok skipper Salmaan Moerat’s untimely first-half injury allowed Etzebeth onto the Optus Stadium turf to equal Bryan Habana’s 124-Test cap tally – the second-most in the side’s history. The Hollywoodbets Sharks man had a superb outing and found an able partner in Nortje, who proved his worth in green and gold with an industrious display.
Back row: Ethan Blackadder (NZL), Pieter-Steph du Toit (RSA) and Ardie Savea (NZL)
While du Toit was typically brilliant against the Wallabies in making 52 meters with ball-in-hand and 11 tackles, the eye-catching displays from Savea and Blackadder were a massive improvement given what we witnessed in Wellington in the first round. The duo, in tandem with honourable mention Dalton Papali’i, will have to replicate that performance in the upcoming two rounds if they hope to challenge the Boks at home.
Halfbacks: TJ Perenara and Damian McKenzie (both NZL)
Perenara and McKenzie both showed some individual moments of class at Eden Park, with the former’s double-dummy offload setting up Will Jordan for a great score. McKenzie assisted a try, grabbed one for himself and kicked six from six.
Midfield: Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane (both NZL)
The Kiwi centre duo linked up nicely in midfield with solid all-round performances. Ioane’s elevation to the starting lineup paid dividends and it’s likely we will see this partnership line up against the Springboks in the next round.
Back three: Will Jordan (NZL), Cheslin Kolbe (RSA) and Tom Wright (AUS)
Jordan (who scored twice) and Kolbe each had quality Test displays for their respective teams, while Wright was the standout for the Wallabies, making two crucial try-saving tackles.
Round 2 Team of the Week
1. Tamaiti Williams (NZL)
2. Malcolm Marx (RSA)
3. Thomas du Toit (RSA)
4. Eben Etzebeth (RSA)
5. Ruan Nortje (RSA)
6. Ethan Blackadder (NZL)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (RSA)
8. Ardie Savea (NZL)
9. TJ Perenara (NZL)
10. Damian McKenzie (NZL)
11. Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)
12. Jordie Barrett (NZL)
13. Rieko Ioane (NZL)
14. Will Jordan (NZL)
15. Tom Wright (AUS)
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