Let’s pick the best of the South Africans after the round 5 action. Let me know if you agree with these selections or not.
15. Not a lot to choose from here. We thought SP Marais had one of his poorer games, leaving no genuine opposition for Willie le Roux, the only Cheetah play reasonably well. Lions man Coenie van Wyk bubbling under.
14. Welcome back JP Pietersen! Not a lot of competition for him, to be honest.
13. We’ll stick with the Sharks flavour and go with Sibusiso Sithole, who had a strong first outing. Deon van Rensburg is runner up.
12. Stefan Watermeyer gets the nod after a good showing in Johannesburg. Frans Venter always tries hard too, while Frans Steyn landed some phenomenal kicks at goal.
11. Gio Aplon is a sentimental pick after that superb solo try in Hamilton. Lwazi Mvovo had a great all-round game.
10. Marnitz Boshoff, back with a bang! Pat Lambie was also very good.
9. That man Faf de Klerk continues to impress while the other SA scrummies struggled.
8. Well played Warren Whiteley, captain fantastic for the Lions. Ryan Kankowski was also good, as the other contenders struggled.
7. Willem Alberts gets it for a great 50 minutes, but props to Nizaam Carr for his great work as a replacement for the Stormers.
6. Marcell Coetzee, by a country mile. Dare we say he was the clear difference in Durban?
5. When all else fails, go with your banker in the position – Franco van der Merwe. Stephan Lewies impressed in his first start and the Stormers will miss De Kock Steenkamp, who is an influential player for them.
4. Can I opt not to pick? Not a lot going around here. Let’s call it a three-way tie between Anton Bresler, Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager, with plenty of room for improvement on all fronts.
3. An almost forgotten former Shark, Julian Redelinghuys, deserves to stand alone after a destructive scrummaging performance of sheer beauty.
2. Bismarck du Plessis again, with Robbie Coetzee close behind after being part of THAT Lions front row.
1. We’ll complete the pair and go with Lions loosehead Schalk van der Merwe, ahead of Beast Mtawarira who was also pretty good.
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makes me proud to see a few Lions on that list ! hoping the boys can keep up the good work . Sharks looking very dangerous tough
This Marnitz Boshoff is really a good players man, he kicks superbly, and gets the Lions backs away.
Jeez Rob, you carry on like this and you might even start Liking the Lions 🙂
Hope Meyer is paying attention to Faf’s performances. There’s some promise there. Hougie’s best position is wing.
@Baylion (Comment 3) :
that might be pushing it a bit 😉
Does anyone here read Pieter Muller’s player rating segment in the Sunday Tribune?
His ratings are so far off the mark I honestly don’t think that he even watches the games.
Irritates the daylights out of me.
@Baylion (Comment 3) : I do like the Lions when they play well and win against foreign teams.
I don’t like the Lions when they roll over and play dead, then moan about how they deserve to be in Super Rugby.
In short, I have no problem whatsoever with 2014’s Lions. Bloody impressed by what I’ve seen, to be honest.
I might have gone for Carr simply because until he came on nobody was taking the ball with any energy for the Stormers.
@Big Fish (Comment 8) : always tough to pick a reserve ahead of a starter, if you ask me, but Nizaam had a really top game and stood out.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : The Lions are doing us proud, just like the Kings did last year. That is all that matters if they come out and play with all their hart is more pleasing than seeing a team win constantly without much hart.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : They just need to get rid of their no tackle No 11…..
@robdylan (Comment 9) :
Agreed – and overall I dont think he was better. Just throwing it around for debate.
Yes must agree with most…..that faf and marnitz combo is looking very good. I get the feeling the whole cheetah’s team is waiting for willie to win them the game. Last year he was the sting in their attack, this year they want him to be the attack…
Hear kings are looking at hansie graaff…..any news that side?
@KingsArmy (Comment 14) : I reckon it’s more than likely going to happen
@KingsArmy (Comment 13) : @vanmartin (Comment 4) : @Uli Boelie (Comment 2) :that 9,10 combo of lions is devastating,sole reasons Lions are doing as well as they are,they like a younger version of Cooper & Genia ,so far ahead of rest there is no 2nd place,they should be backed for the Boks for next WC They show what a proper 9 & 10 can do for a team
@benji (Comment 16) :
And of course, 4 or so SR games is enough for us to make that huge call?
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Fair point. Even as a staunch Lions supporter I have to admit that for the first time in years the Lions ar playing with heart and not just going through the motions
@benji (Comment 16) : Personally on top of seeing what that 9 &10 can do for the team, I’d love to see what heights having you as a fan could propel them to…
@Culling Song (Comment 19) : just a fan of watching talented players doing the great game of rugby justice
@Culling Song (Comment 19) :
Quality.
But your shot passed a bit too high it seems.
This worldcup way too early for faf, but marnitz can make that squad