Round 12 of the United Rugby Championship had its surprises with the Emirates Lions not looking as if they wanted to be at the Park while the Stormers brilliant comeback effort surprised everybody.
At #15 Aphelele Fassi at this stage has no immediate "threat" to their selection, however, if the Stormers select Warrick Gelant at fullback this position will once again be a hotly debated one.
Warrick Gelant came on as a replacement at wing for the Stormers and made an immediate impact on the attack. On the other side, Makazole Mapimpi's class made his selection an easy one.
Sharks' captain Lukhanyo Am is currently not only the best in South Africa but he can rightfully claim to be the best in the world at thirteen. Harold Vorster at the inside centre gave direction to the Bulls backline and although he did nothing "spectacular", the Bulls will miss him if injured.
Morné Steyn, as expected, controlled the attack of the Bulls and kept the Lions pinned in their own half with a brilliant kicking display while Grant Williams showed why he is the number one choice for the Sharks at scrumhalf.
As expected the Bulls' loosies dominate our selection, however, Jaco Kriel's effort for a sub-standard Lions team secured his selection over that of Bulls' captain Marcell Coetzee.
South Africa have a major problem at lock and although Ryan Nortje was once again light-years better than the other locks at #5, I moved Willem Alberts to #4 just to give some credit for his efforts although he played at #5 for the Lions. At lock, we have a major problem in South Africa.
Jaques van Rooyen and Carlu Sadie had both great games at the tighthead, however, the performance of Brok Harris was absolutely brilliant. On the other side of the front row, Steven Kitshoff was outshined by the Sharks' loosehead Ox Nche in Durban.
We are blessed in South Africa with several brilliant hookers, however, none impressed if they had to be judged with their throw-ins at the lineouts and their abilities in the scrums. Bongi's work comes scrum time is brilliant and definitely outplayed Scarra Ntubeni on Saturday.
URC Team of the Week: 15. Aphelele Fassi (Sharks, 14. Warrick Gelant (Stormers), 13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), 12. Harold Vorster (Bulls), 11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), 10. Morné Steyn (Bulls), 9. Grant Williams (Sharks), 8. Elrigh Louw (Bulls), 7. Arno Botha (Bulls), 6. Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5. Ruan Nortje (Bulls), 4. Willem Alberts (Lions), 3. Brok Harris (Stormers), 2. Bong Mbonambi (Sharks), 1. Ox Nche (Sharks).
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