Sharks player ratings: Springboks underwhelming as playmaker’s ‘mare’ proves costly in defeat to Ulster
Sharks fly-half Siya Masuku and inside centre Andre Esterhuizen (inset).
After their 34-26 defeat in their United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban, here’s how the Sharks players performed on Saturday.
Sharks player ratings v Ulster
15 Edwill van der Merwe: Always looked dangerous on attack and made some fine attacking runs from the back but Ulster‘s defence ultimately kept him in check. 6
14 Ethan Hooker: As usual, the Springboks rookie was always looking for work on attack but made little headway and also had some good moments on defensive. 6
13 Jurenzo Julius: The young outside centre had some good attacking moments especially in the opening half but his efforts were in vain as his opponents’ defence improved on and he was less prominent as the match progressed. 5
12 Andre Esterhuizen: Made an early statement when he left his direct opponent Stuart McCloskey on his backside with a strong carry and continued to impress with ball in hand as the match progressed. The Springbok was the Sharks‘ go-to-man as a ball carrier and eventually crossed for a deserved try but received little support from his team-mates. 8
11 Makazole Mapimpi: The Springboks flyer was in the thick of the action throughout as he looked dangerous on attack throughout and was rewarded with the Sharks’ first try. However, a brain fade on defence, where he put in a dangerous hit on Mike Lowry, resulted in a yellow card which was later upgraded to red and that meant his team was on the back foot during the rest of the match. 4
10 Siya Masuku: Not a game he will remember fondly as battled for long periods and frankly had a mare in this clash. His tactical kicking was atrocious while he also misdirected and overcooked up-and-unders, and struggled on defence. Eventually yanked off in the 68th minute with Jordan Hendrikse replacing him. 3
9 Grant Williams: Showed why he is a Springbok with a beautiful skip pass to Mapimpi, who crossed for a well-taken try. Also provided a crisp service to his outside backs but was overshadowed by his direct opponent, Nathan Doak, who was the official player of the match. 6
Sharks v Ulster: Five takeaways as Ireland snub leads slaying of Springboks-laden hosts
Forward effort not good enough
8 Phepsi Buthelezi: The one-Test Springbok toiled manfully as a ball carrier but made little impact in that facet of play while he also gave his all on defence without influencing proceedings. 5
7 Vincent Tshituka (c): The Sharks skipper did what was expected of him in the execution of his attacking and defensive duties but those efforts made little impact in the grander scheme of things. 5
6 Siya Kolisi: The Springboks skipper impressed with his ball carrying, which was rewarded late in the opening half when he went over for the Sharks’ first try. Also put in a solid shift on defenc,e but it did not have the desired effect. 6
5 Marvin Orie: The experienced second-rower was at the forefront of his side’s lineout efforts as he won his fair share of balls and did well when competing on the opposition’s balls at the set-piece. However, he was less visible in other facets of play. 5
4 Eben Etzebeth: The Springboks enforcer showed his class and a good appreciation for the game’s laws when he caught Nathan Doak in possession behind a ruck and the Ulster scrum-half was soon penalised for holding onto the ball on the ground. Etzebeth also did his bit in the lineouts, on attack and on defence and brought plenty of physicality in the latter departments. 7
3 Vincent Koch: Just like fellow Springbok Mapimpi, Koch also spent some time in the sin bin for a similar hit on Lowry just before the winger’s offence, but was not red-carded, though. Put in a strong scrummaging performance while he also defended well, especially at close quarters. 6
2 Bongi Mbonambi: The Sharks held the upper hand in the scrums throughout and the veteran Springbok’s contribution in that department should not be underestimated. A few wayward lineouts and wasn’t as telling in contact as he should be. 5
1 Ox Nche: Showed why he is regarded as arguably the best scrummaging prop in the world as he had his direct opponent Scott Wilson back-pedalling on a few occasions at the set-piece. Nche also caught the eye with some strong carries on attack during a 58-minute shift. One of the Sharks’ best. 8
Replacements: With Ulster holding the upper hand for long periods, the Sharks were chasing the game for most of this match and although the likes of the Hendrikse brothers – Jaden and Jordan – brought plenty of energy off the bench and the front-row replacements – Fez Mbatha, Simphiwe Matanzima and Ruan Dreyer – continued with the good work in the scrums, it was not good enough to haul in their opponents. 6