Springboks: Five Sharks players who boosted their selection chances in narrow win over the Dragons
It was not the most glorious performance as the Sharks claimed a late 30-33 win over the Dragons but there were some players who would have boosted their position in the Springboks picture.
Jaden Hendrikse
While the majority of this list features players on the fringe looking in, we could not ignore the scrum-half as he deserves credit for kicking on from his performance against Argentina last weekend where he was brilliant.
The older of the Hendrikse brothers is a complete nine. His ability to read the game and the skill-set to exploit that is his trump card over the other talented scrum-halves in contention for the Springboks starting role. He certainly has the ability to grow into a world-class player and his control in this clash showed that despite his team blowing hot and cold around him.
Jordan Hendrikse
It is just over three months since the Shark started for the Springboks at fly-half against Wales and a lot has changed most notably not playing pivot since then. Hendrikse has been thrown the 15 jumper and looked far more comfortable on both sides of the ball.
Last weekend the Duban-based star showed off his rocket boot kicking 60+ metres but he did not use it this time around, instead he showed off his aerial prowess, defensive strength and popped up nicely on the attack.
By no means was it a performance that barges the Springboks door down, but it was one that showed he is far more comfortable at 15. His point of difference is that canon boot so if he can sharpen up the rest of his game it may well force Bok management to have another look at him.
Andre Esterhuizen
The centre has been one of the most unlucky players in terms of selection having been stuck behind the ultra-consistent Damian de Allende for so long in the Boks set-up, however, Esterhuizen is doing what he can to offer a point of difference.
Esterhuizen was brilliant last weekend and solid this evening. What makes the former Harlequin so unique are his soft touches in and amongst the brutality which made his so effective alongside Marcus Smith. He showed again tonight with a lovely switch play setting up a try just before half-time.
The powerhouse’s best chance at strong-arming his way into the South African side was to do it with a team on home soil. Esterhuizen has had his time in the Sharks shirt, he knows what to expect and by the looks of it, he is in for a strong stint in Durban.
🦈 Sharks finally show a glimpse of what they can do! #DRAvSHA #URC pic.twitter.com/jHi9rHZTh8
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) October 5, 2024
Ethan Hooker
The youngster has already touched the Boks set-up but in nothing more than a squad selection and it has only given him even more hunger. Hooker appears as the ultimate team player having worn 11, 12 and 13 for the Sharks in the last year. For him, it doesn’t matter where plays he just wants to be on that field emptying that tank and it’s ALWAYS evident in his game.
The move to wing has been rather successful as he is certainly quick enough then throw in that physicality he built in the centres and nous in terms of linking play then you get a really promising youngster.
Hooker has Springbok written all over him and selflessly passing the ball on the line to secure an easier conversion angle was just one small snippet of the well-publicised ‘leave your ego at the door’ in the South African camp. Remember his name.
Jurenzo Julius
A young man whose name will be thrown into the Bok picture very soon. Julius has been highly-rated for some time and has just come off two years in the Junior Springboks set-up to go win the Currie Cup in his first senior tournament.
The athleticism of the centre is truly incredible and it shows every time he carries the ball where he mostly beats the first defender. Affectionately known as the Boogieman he could well be the breakout player of the eason in the URC.
It will be very interesting to see how the Sharks use the rising star when Lukhanyo Am returns.
READ MORE: Springboks’ newest scrum-capped wing rips Edinburgh to shreds in sensational injury return