Based on the performances of some of the South Africans in this season’s edition of Super Rugby, and with the World Cup just months away, Rassie Erasmus is in a solid position from which to select the players he believes will add value to the Springboks’ cause in 2019.
Below, Shaun Goosen selects the individuals he believes have shone in this year’s competition and who may just force Rassie to rethink his plans ahead of the global showpiece in Japan.
South African Super Rugby Team of the Tournament 2019
- 1. Lizo Gqoboko (Bulls)
- 2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
- 3. Trevor Nyakane (Bulls)
- 4. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)
- 5. RG Snyman (Bulls)
- 6. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
- 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
- 8. Daniel du Preez (Sharks)
- 9. Hershel Jantjies (Stormers)
- 10. Handre Pollard (Bulls)
- 11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
- 12. Burger Odendaal (Bulls)
- 13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
- 14. Sbu Nkosi (Sharks)
- 15. Damian Willemse (Stormers)
Up front, Lizo Gqoboko (28-pick and drives) was utterly stoic for the Bulls this year, as he and Trevor Nyakane – both of whom played in all of the Bulls’ 17-matches – ended the season with a 90.5% scrum success rate. In the middle, Malcolm Marx picks himself after another titanic campaign for the Lions that included seven-pilfers at breakdown time. Special mention though to Schalk Brits who was also superb.
The Bulls’ Jason Jenkins and RG Snyman weren’t just electric for their side in general play but helped them achieve a 93.5% success rate at the lineout. Both will be sorely missed in 2020 as they jettison off to Japan.
While the entire Bulls loose trio plus Siya Kolisi were immense throughout, ultimately they just failed to make the grade. Instead, stand-in Lions’ skipper Kwagga Smith (six-pilfers, seven-tries), Pieter-Steph du Toit (12.6-tackles per game) and Daniel du Preez (19-offloads) earn selection based on some big showings in 2019.
With all eyes on Bulls’ duo Embrose Papier and Ivan van Zyl, Hershell Jantjies came out of the blue to boom for the Stormers this season, scoring a last-gasp try in round two to propel his side to a 19-17 win over the Lions. Having been included in Erasmus’ preliminary squad ahead of the Rugby Championship, it will be interesting to see whether he gets a look-in in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, competition top point-scorer Handre Pollard (194) was integral to the Bulls’ run to the playoffs. His general play may be haphazard at times, but there’s no doubt he remains the Boks’ first-choice at flyhalf, and should start there in the big Tests this year.
Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel showed some signs of improvement, but it is Burger Odendaal and the classy Lukhanyo Am who nail down the midfield roles. The latter in particular was sublime again for the Sharks and should start at 13 in Japan.
Curwin Bosch was good when he played at fullback and Cornal Hendricks remains a deadly prospect out on the wing, but a back three of Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi and Damian Willemse certainly wouldn’t let any team down. Mapimpi’s finishing, Nkosi’s physicality and Willemse’s flair are one heck of a combination and each should have the chance to show what they can do for the Boks in the Rugby Championship.
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets
