United Rugby Championship Round 1: South African Team of the Week

SA franchises collected four wins from four games and scored 19 of a possible 20 log points, with only the Lions missing out on a bonus-point victory.

The Johannesburg-based side produced a thrilling last-gasp 27-26 win over defending champions Leinster at Ellis Park, while the Stormers ground out a bonus-point 29-15 victory in Galway.

The Sharks ran in five tries in a dominant 41-24 triumph over the Ospreys in Durban, and the Bulls dismantled Zebre 47-13 in Italy.

With standout individual performances across all four matches, here is our South African Team of the Week from Round 1 of the United Rugby Championship.

15. Luan Giliomee (Sharks)

Man of the Match in Durban with two tries, including a dazzling solo effort from halfway where he showed off his pace and dizzying stepping skills.

The fullback made ground every time he had the ball, running for over 100 metres in seven carries, with his evasion and finishing lighting up the Sharks' bonus-point win.

14. Kelly Mpeku (Lions)

Scored the decisive late try from Chris Smith's cross-kick that sealed the Lions' epic win over defending champions Leinster.

Mpeku also put in a huge shift on defence for a winger, making 11 tackles throughout the game.

13. Le Roux Malan (Cardiff)

Namibian Malan was the strongest Southern African outside centre of the weekend with a strong performance in midfield for Cardiff in their 21-15 win over Scarlets in Wales.

He was the primary ball carrier in the backline with 11 carries for over 70 metres gained and offloaded well in the tackle to keep their momentum going forward.

12. Harold Vorster (Bulls)

Was a strong ball carrier for the Bulls, making 16 carries to wear Zebra down and broke the line on several occasions.

Vorster trotted over for a well-deserved try after some quick passing from the Lions created a massive overlap 10 minutes into the second half.

11. Erich Cronje (Lions)

Scored two excellent tries and was a constant threat for the Lions in midfield. Was named Player of the Match after an impressive all-round performance that saw him contribute in every area of the game.

10. Vusi Moyo (Sharks)

Was flawless off the kicking tee, adding 14 points through four conversions and two penalty goals that underpinned the Sharks' comprehensive win over Ospreys.

9. Paul de Wet (Bulls)

Was the standout playmaker for the Bulls and scored a long-range intercept try from about 45 metres out on the stroke of half-time to put the Bulls in a commanding position going into the break.

8. Nick Hatton (Sharks)

Marshelled the scrum well, hit rucks all game, opened the scoring with superb support running, and led from the front in a physical, high-tempo display at Kings Park.

7. Manu Tshituka (Sharks)

Scored the second try for the Sharks and was part of a dominant loose-forward effort, along with Hatton and Phepsi Buthelezi.

6. Louw Nel (Stormers)

Influential in the pack's second-half dominance of the scrum that turned the game in Galway to the Stormers' favour and put in a huge shift on defence with 18 tackles, while also contributing five carries and two offloads.

5. Reinhardt Ludwig (Bulls)

Scored a brace of tries and did some excellent work at lineout time, while providing a physical presence throughout the game in the tight exchanges in Parma.

4. Ruan Vermaak (Bulls)

Started slow but grew into the game well to become the primary ball carrier among the Bulls' forwards with 12 carries around the rucks. Scored a try and contributed to the forward platform that overwhelmed Zebre.

3. Sazi Sandi (Stormers)

Made a huge impact after coming off the bench to reinforce the Stormers' scrum. Scored a powerful close-range try from a maul that put the Stormers back in front.

2. Andre-Hugo Venter (Stormers)

Standout all-round display with a team-high tackle count of 16, as well as making 14 carries for over 70 metres and getting stuck into the breakdown work.

1. Boan Venter (Lions)

Contributed to the powerful Lions' scrum that created several important scoring chances against Leinster.