Sharks player ratings: Andre Esterhuizen continues ‘career-best form’ while Springboks teammate ‘struggles’ and Bulls feast
Sharks captain Andre Esterhuizen and an inset of Jordan Hendrikse.
Following the Bulls’ 41-12 trashing of the Sharks, here’s how we rated JP Pietersen’s charges in the United Rugby Championship defeat at the Loftus Versfeld.
Sharks player ratings
15 Jaco Williams: After a blockbuster start to his professional career, the young outside back had an incredibly tough outing in Pretoria. Chipped by Canan Moodie, skinned by Seb de Klerk and outpaced by Embrose Papier. Looked uncomfortable when he was replaced before half-time. Still has plenty of promise and shouldn’t be written off after one poor showing. Pietersen put faith in him to fill Aphelele Fassie’s void, and unfortunately, it ended badly. 3
14 Edwill van der Merwe: Took his opportunity to score wonderfully, but like the other outside backs, he fell victim to the Bulls‘ sharp kicking tactics. His performance summed up the Sharks‘ night, excellent at times, but there were inaccuracies. 5
13 Jurenzo Julius: Flashes of brilliance as he wiggled through tackles and looked to spark something for the Sharks on attack. However, he coughed up possession too often – five times in total. That inaccuracy cost the Sharks as did his lapses in defence. The talent is there; he just needs to find the accuracy and consistency. He was a shining light in recent matches but today there were just too many errors as he tried to force things. 4
12 Andre Esterhuizen (c): The best of the best from the Sharks, again. Esterhuizen has been in career-best form over the past 12 months or so and was dominant again today. Regularly got over the gain-line, kicked brilliantly and defended well. The Springboks star couldn’t have done much more; he was brilliant, but his teammates weren’t at the same level. 8
11 Makazole Mapimpi: His drop cold after Esterhuizen’s superb kick killed momentum and was a massive territorial deficit and led to a Bulls try. That was a standout error for the veteran Bok and with no pressure from the Bulls, an unacceptable one for a player of his calibre. Struggled to really influence proceedings and was part of a backfield that was undone by the Bulls’ smart kicking tactics. 4
10 Jordan Hendrikse: A litany of failed attempts to gather Moodie’s chip and a mix-up with Mavesere gifted the Bulls’ centre a try. He really could have done better with his tackle attempt on Harold Vorster. The Bulls’ chips over the top caused all kinds of havoc for Hendrikse and the Sharks’ backfield while the fly-half struggled to get the attack firing. A really underwhelming outing overall. 3
9 Jaden Hendrikse: He has been in fine form for the Sharks recently, resulting in his Springboks alignment invite and was in similar nick as he looked to inspire the attack. However, he had a loose pass that spoiled an attack deep in the 22, and soon after, he got horribly injured as he got his tackle all wrong. All precautions were undertaken by the medical staff and hopefully, it’s not a long-term setback. 5
The forwards
8 Phepsi Buthelezi: Much has been made of his absence in the Springboks alignment camp squad after his stunning cameos off the bench recently. He wasn’t nearly as effective against the imposing Bulls pack that bossed proceedings. 5
7 Vincent Tshituka: A brilliant run and pass sent Van der Merwe through for a well-taken try that gave the Sharks a sniff at a comeback that just didn’t materialise. A source of going forward ball for the visitors and an effective defender, but it was all in vain. 6
6 Tino Mavesere: Always a very busy presence in the game, but today was error-ridden and conceded an early soft penalty. Overall, it was a challenging day for the Sabels international. 4
5 Jason Jenkins: Went the distance today and was one of the Sharks’ busiest forwards on both sides of the ball. Decent in the lineouts and effective in the rucks. The result was not his doing. 6
4 Corne Rahl: The ball went right through his mitts with the Sharks down by 17 and with a lineout 5m out. That was one of his last involvements before he was replaced. Before then, it was a decent outing for the lock who did little wrong but didn’t stand out. 4
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3 Vincent Koch: Ended his shift with a fantastic pilfer around the 53rd minute mark. Alulutho Tshakweni did give him a hard time in the scrums early in the game. The 35-year-old still proved that he has plenty to offer after signing a new contract. He was busy around the park. 5
2 Eduan Swart: The lineout wasn’t perfect when he was on the park but they weren’t shambolic either. The Pumas’ loanee has been solid during his stint with the Sharks, and today was no different despite the side’s struggles when he was on. A tidy shift. 5
1 Ox Nche: Also put under the cosh in the scrums with Mornay Smith laying down a marker. Nche had the last laugh, though with a massive shove to win a penalty before departing the action. Some bright moments, including a massive leg-peg hoof and made some big hits. 6
Replacements: Much like the starters, it was hit and miss from the Sharks’ bench. Hanro Jacobs brought aggression and directness that was sorely needed in the carry and shifted gears in the scrum. Phatu Ganyane and Fez Mbatha also contributed well in the set-pieces but the former also conceded a penalty. Ross Braude kicked well until his cross-kick attempt to Van der Merwe that went backwards. Yaw Penxe sured the backfield up on occasion but the Bulls still got purchase with their kicks. 5
