Bulls player ratings: Springboks snub ‘delivers the goods again’ while young superstar shows why Rassie Erasmus is interested
Bulls flyer Cheswill Jooste (inset) and scrum-half Embrose Papier.
After their 34-31 victory in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Munster at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, here’s how the Bulls players performed.
Bulls player ratings v Sharks
15 Willie le Roux: The veteran Springbok did what was expected of him at the back as he was solid under the high ball and had some good moments on attack. He missed a routine tackle on Ben O’Connor though which led to a try for the Munster full-back but showed his class with a crucial 50/22 kick. 7
14 Canan Moodie: Caught out of position for Munster’s opening try but made up for that error by crossing the whitewash himself later on. Failed to gather a few high balls before being replaced by Cheswill Jooste in the 57th minute. 6
13 Stedman Gans: Was solid throughout and did brilliantly to set up Moodie’s try late in the opening half while also impressing on defence, especially in the game’s latter stages when Munster were chasing the game. 7
12 Harold Vorster: The veteran centre was kept in check on attack but made his biggest contribution on defence while he also had some good moments at the breakdowns. Replaced by David Kriel in the 66th minute. 6
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse: Showed why he is regarded as one of the world’s best wingers as he came to the fore with a fine all-round display. Although he did not cross the whitewash, Arendse made some superb attacking runs and he also did brilliantly in the air. 8
10 Handre Pollard: The Springboks playmaker was a calming influence in the Bulls‘ backline as he had some good attacking moments and showed his class off the kicking tee as he finished with a 14-point haul courtesy of two penalties and four conversions. 7
9 Embrose Papier: Another excellent performance from the snubbed Springbok, who was at the forefront of everything that was good about the Bulls’ attack. Papier delivered the goods again as his attacking efforts were rewarded with a brace of tries of which the first one is a try of the season contender as he beat several defenders on a mazy 40-metre run. 9
The forwards
8 Nizaam Carr: The experienced number eight continued with his recent good form as he was a willing ball carrier and impressed on defence and at the breakdown battle. However, he was forced off with a knee injury after 57 minutes with Cobus Wiese coming on to replace him. 7
7 Elrigh Louw: He was in the thick of the action from the outset as he put his body on the line on defence and also had some fine moments with ball in hand. Eventually replaced by Cameron Hanekom in the 50th minute. 6
6 Marcell Coetzee (c): The Bulls skipper was a willing ball carrier and made some big hits on defence while his decision-making and leadership also played its part in helping them to secure victory. 7
5 Ruan Nortje: The Boks lock spent time in the sin bin for head contact in a tackle on Diarmuid Barron but apart from that blemish, he shone in the execution of his core duties. Nortje was the Bulls’ go-to man in the lineouts and had a high work-rate on defence. 7
4 Ruan Vermaak: He was a valuable source of possession in the lineouts while also doing his bit on defence but not so prominent with ball in hand. However, he brilliantly booted the ball upfield from inside his half before Papier collected it inside Munster territory before crossing for his second try. 7
3 Francois Klopper: Impressed in the scrums as he won a couple of penalties at the set-piece early on and continued to do well at the set-piece before being replaced by Khutha Mchunu after 50 minutes.7
2 Johan Grobbelaar: A fine all-round display as he caught the eye with ball in hand and some big hits on defence, while he also found his lineout jumpers with regularity with accurate throw-ins. Was replaced by Marco van Staden in the 50th minute. 8
1 Gerhard Steenekamp: It was a momentous occasion for the Springboks prop as he made his 100th appearance for the Bulls and he can proud of his efforts as he dominated in the scrums and also did his bit on defence.8
Replacements: The home side’s replacements brought plenty of energy to the cause and made a huge contribution in the grander scheme of things. Amongst the backs, young flyer Cheswill Jooste, who is highly rated by Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus, left his stamp on the match with an outstanding five-pointer soon after entering the fray, while up front, the likes of Wiese, Hanekom and Van Staden continued with the good work, especially on attack, where they all did their bit with some excellent carries. 8