Round 3 of the United Rugby Championship delivered some outstanding individual performances. Here, we take a look at the best players by position from the weekend’s matches, with each side afforded a maximum of three representatives in the final XV.
Seven South African players were included in the team of the week after the four South African franchises once again dominated the results of the weekend.
Fullback: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls)
Arendse made an instant impact on his return from Springbok duty, touching down after just six minutes of the Vodacom Bulls’ 28-14 win against Connacht. He also gained more metres (101) than anyone else on the pitch.
Wing: Suleiman Hartzenberg (DHL Stormers)
The DHL Stormers look to have another exciting talent on their hands, with 19-year-old Hartzenberg having announced himself with a pair of tries on debut. Hartzenberg touched down twice in the final quarter in a 34-18 victory over Edinburgh and was also the match leader for metres gained (79).
Centre: Dan du Plessis (DHL Stormers)
Du Plessis was not among the try scorers at the DHL Stadium, but he was at the centre of one of the Stormers’ most eye-catching attacks. As the hosts looked for a first-half spark, Du Plessis evaded a couple of tackles before sending Angelo Davids dancing towards the line, only for Edinburgh to stop him just short.
Centre: Johnny Williams (Scarlets)
Williams was the Scarlets' stand-out performer in their 34-23 defeat to Benetton, scoring a second-half try and leading the way for successful carries (6), defenders beaten (4) and clean breaks (2). However, he was forced off with a calf injury late on and looks set for a spell on the sidelines.
Wing: Thaakir Abrahams (Cell C Sharks)
The Cell C Sharks were narrow 20-19 victors over the Dragons in Newport, and Abrahams crossed for a crucial late try that swung the fixture decisively in the visitors' favour.
Fly-half: Tomas Albornoz (Benetton)
Albornoz kicked 14 points for Benetton, making him the week's ideal nominated kicker. He also crossed for a try, and his total number of fantasy points without kicking amounts to 26.5, which is actually the highest of the week. However, as fantasy players cannot select the same player as both their kicker and captain, we have stuck to the rules and allocated the captaincy to the next best player to maximise our points haul. Players who selected Albornoz as their captain rather than their kicker will have seen his tally doubled to 53.
Scrum-half: Zak Burger (Vodacom Bulls)
Burger touched down twice for the Bulls and was a persistent attacking threat, piercing the Connacht defence with a couple of clean breaks. His haul of 26 points made him this week's captain, and those who selected the scrum-half as their skipper will have seen his contribution doubled to 52
Number 8: Phepsi Buthelezi (Cell C Sharks)
Buthelezi was a powerful presence at Rodney Parade, racking up 17 tackles as the Sharks edged victory.
Flanker: Dylan Richardson (Cell C Sharks)
Richardson led the match figures for successful carries (10), while his tally of five defenders beaten was also unsurpassed.
Flanker: Ryan Baird (Leinster)
Baird scored the opening try of Leinster’s 20-13 win at Ulster. The flanker took the ball at full pelt and dived over in the corner as Billy Burns and John Cooney could not stop him.
Lock: Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
Beirne’s good work at the breakdown was a key factor in the build-up to Munster’s opening try in their 21-5 victory over Zebre Parma, with Niall Scannell eventually touching down.
Lock: Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors)
Cummings may have ended up on the losing side against the Ospreys in Swansea, with Glasgow Warriors beaten 32-17, but his work in the visiting pack was enough to earn him a spot in the team of the week.
Prop: Keynan Knox (Munster)
Knox was unstoppable as he powered over for Munster’s second try after 17 minutes.
Hooker: Niall Scannell (Munster)
Knox’s try was sandwiched between two for Scannell as Munster took control of the game in the opening half an hour.
Prop: Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh)
It was Schoeman who crossed for Edinburgh’s deserved opening try in Cape Town following their dominance of the early stages of the match.
