Champions Cup: Seven South Africans to watch in the quarter-finals including Grant Williams and Damian Willemse

Dylan Coetzee
Champions Cup: Split with Willemse, Fourie and Williams

The Champions Cup rolls into the quarter-finals stage, and two South African teams remain as the Sharks and Stormers hope to book their place in the final four of Europe’s premier club competition.

Planet Rugby picks out seven South African stars to keep an eye on in this weekend’s action.

Werner Kok

The Sharks man has really started to find some serious form in the 15s format and has been a shining light at times this season for the Durban side. His work rate has been outstanding on both sides of the ball.

Kok’s side faces Toulouse this weekend, and the former Sevens superstar is no stranger to the club, having had a short stint with the French giants in 2019.

The Durbanites will desperately need Kok to shine again as he did last weekend scoring a try in his side’s dismantling of Munster. It is a massive game for the energetic wing.

Rohan Janse van Rensburg

The robust centre has been a stabilising force at the Sharks since Neil Powell moved him into the 12 channel as he offers protection and options going forward on attack for Curwin Bosch.

Janse van Rensburg is an intelligent player who runs clever lines and has sound distribution if he is not barging down the defensive line. His role against Toulouse is crucial as the French side relies on Pita Akhi a great deal in their phase play.

So if the Shark can match his opposite number, he goes some way in disarming the Toulouse structure.

The centre is very talented and is a brilliant player, but it is games like these when he needs to stand up and deliver.

Grant Williams

The injury to Jaden Hendrikse is far from ideal, but there is a silver lining for Williams at least. The scrum-half has been continuously growing since being invited into the Springboks set-up and has a chance now to lay down a serious marker.

Williams’ game is centred around his ridiculous pace, as he has shown at times this season. He also has a wicked side step, as Seabelo Senatla would know. The star is brilliant at delivering quick ball from the base, which could prove useful in electrifying the Sharks’ backline.

His kicking game may not always match Hendrikse’s, but Williams has try-scoring X-factor, and this is a big game in the context of the season and quite possibly his World Cup chances.

Bongi Mbonambi

The Springbok hooker has been world-class for some time and is very consistent in his performances. He is a master of scoring a maul try, solid in the carry and a very good scrummager. However, he does have a big task this weekend.

Mbonambi will likely face Julien Marchand, who has situated himself alongside the Springbok as one of the world’s premier hookers. The Frenchman may have the edge over the ball on the ground, but the South African may have the physicality.

The hooker will need to be an enforcer this weekend, with only his brutal best required to help the Sharks get any sort of result.

Damian Willemse

The images of the superstar flying through the air and scoring a simply outrageous try last weekend will live rent-free in the mind’s of Stormers fans for an eternity.

Willemse is a freak wherever he plays. The kind of player that has the ability to change the game in a heartbeat regardless of his involvement up till that point. His skill-set is very comprehensive, and his understanding of the game is simply brilliant. To be able to play as many positions as he can so effectively is remarkable.

The Springbok is a model professional, and the Capetonians need everything they can get from their superstar against Exeter Chiefs. His stock is rapidly rising in the rugby world, and if he is going to be considered one of the best in the world at some stage, producing at this stage is the next stepping stone.

Daniel du Plessis

The centre has been a revelation this season. Playing with a smile on his face, Du Plessis has been a key player in the Stormers’ charge on all fronts, whether wearing 12 or 13.

Again, another player whose rugby knowledge is so very impressive and one whose decision-making is more often than not sound. His try against Clermont in the pool stage showcased his running power and ability, whilst on defence he is a rock in partnership with Ruhan Nel.

Du Plessis embodies the Stormers’ ethos through and through. Another big game is required from the centre at the highest level.

Deon Fourie

Ageing like a fine wine officially needs to be changed to ageing like Deon Fourie. It boggles the mind and defeats logic how this 36-year-old is running rampant on the professional scene.

Fourie is a master over the ball, one of the best in the world right now, which will be critical at Sandy Park. The flank is a disrupter, if he is not making the steal or winning the penalty he is disrupting. If he is not doing that then he is galloping off to score a try.

Influential is an understatement. Fourie is a superstar, one filled with passion, and fight. What is certain is he will be absolutely relishing the chance to be the difference against Exeter.

READ MORE: Champions Cup: Five key questions ahead of the quarter-finals including the travel factor for South African sides

Champions Cup Bongi Mbonambi Damian Willemse Daniel du Plessis Deon Fourie Grant Williams Rohan Janse Van Rensburg Werner Kok

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