Bulls player ratings: Springboks snub ‘sends Rassie Erasmus a reminder’ while veteran back also shines in win over Sharks
Bulls centre Harold Vorster (inset) and scrum-half Embrose Papier.
After their 41-12 victory in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, here’s how the Bulls players performed.
Bulls player ratings v Sharks
15 David Kriel: Usually in midfield, Kriel’s selection at full-back was somewhat surprising but he justified that decision with a fine performance. He was solid under the high ball while also impressing when he joined the line from the back and finished with 32 metres gained. 7
14 Sebastian de Klerk: Showed why he is so highly rated as he took the fight to the Sharks with several outstanding attacking runs. De Klerk shone on attack, finishing with a match-high 11 carries, 74 metres gained and scored a well-taken try. Missed a routine tackle on Edwill van der Merwe, however, as the Boks flyer crossed for a try. 8
13 Canan Moodie: The 2023 Rugby World Cup winner gave the home side a boost when he crossed for the opening try after gathering his own chip kick inside the Sharks’ 22. Moodie continued to shine on attack as he set up try-scoring opportunities for his team-mates and did brilliantly when chasing kick-offs where he regained the ball on several occasions from Bulls restarts. 8
12 Harold Vorster: The veteran midfielder proved a real handful to the visitors’ defence as he was at the forefront of the Bulls’ attacking onslaught. Did well with ball in hand, gaining a match-high 95 metres and he scored a brace of tries while he also put in a big shift on defence, where he made 11 hits. 9
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse: Although the Springboks flyer did not make a big impact with ball in hand, he did his bit in other areas, especially at the breakdown battle where he won two crucial turnovers. 7
10 Handre Pollard: The Springboks star was solid throughout as he impressed with accurate goal-kicking and he did well in other facets of play too. Showed his class when he drew in two defenders before offloading to Vorster, who crossed for a try and also impressed on defence with seven tackle completions. 8
9 Embrose Papier: Missed out on a call-up to the Springboks’ alignment camp but put that setback behind him as he sent Rassie Erasmus a reminder of his abilities with an excellent all-round display. Papier showed his class by running good support lines and was rewarded with two well-taken tries. Also delivered a slick service to his outside backs before being replaced by Paul de Wet in the 69th minute. 9
The forwards
8 Nizaam Carr: The former Springboks back-row was in the thick of the action from the outset as he impressed with great physicality either side of the ball. Carr competed ferociously at the breakdowns and was superb on defence making a joint match-high 11 tackles. 8
7 Elrigh Louw: Like Carr, fellow Boks loose forward Louw put in a superb all-round shift as he tested the Sharks’ defence with some powerful carries and put in a huge defensive shift where he finished with 10 tackles. 8
6 Marcell Coetzee (c): The third Springboks representative in the Bulls back-row can also be happy with his effort, particularly on defence where he emptied the tank and finished with 11 tackles made. 7
5 Ruan Nortje: The dependable lock was solid in the execution of his core duties as he was a valuable source of possession in the lineouts, while he also did his bit on defence and attack. 7
4 Ruan Vermaak: Like Nortje, the 27-year-old did well in the lineouts where he won his fair share of balls and he also put pressure on the Sharks’ throw-ins at the set-piece. Did his bit on defence too where he made seven hits.7
3 Morne Smith: The 28-year-old had a tough task in the scrums against Boks star Ox Nche but Smith gave a good account of himself in that department especially in the first half. However, Nche sent him back-pedaling at the set-piece early in the second half which resulted in him being replaced shortly afterwards. 6
2 Jan Hendrik Wessels: The young Bok star will be happy with his effort as he was solid as a ball carrier, gaining 18 attacking metres, and superb on defence where he made 11 hits during an impressive 80-minute shift. 8
1 Alulutho Tshakweni: Like fellow prop Smith, the 27-year-old stood up well in the scrums but became less influential in that department as the match progressed and was eventually replaced by Wilco Louw in the 57th minute. 6
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Replacements: The Bulls’ forward replacements continued to take the fight to the visitors with the likes of Marco van Staden and Cobus Wiese leading the charge with some barnstorming runs in the second half. Meanwhile, De Wet continued with the good work when he replaced Papier and also crossed for a deserved try. 8