Lions and Bulls top the charts as Stormers and Sharks struggle
Although there is still a long season ahead in the United Rugby Championship (URC), the Lions and Bulls lead the South African charge in the tournament after three rounds.
Both unbeaten, the Lions currently occupy third place on the URC log with 14 points, with their Jukskei neighbours on the same amount in fourth. In contrast, the Stormers and Sharks lost heavily in their final tour match and could only score one try apiece and find themselves at the bottom of the log.
From the skies to the try line 🪽 A well-timed kick from Willie le Roux meets the gas of Kurt-Lee Arendse to take the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby over the try line in Swansea!@Vodacom #URC | #OSPvBUL pic.twitter.com/G77ZiYeFPG
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) October 12, 2024
Jarod Cairns delivered a massive shift against the Dragons, earning himself the Player of the Match award! 🔥🏅
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 14, 2024
Show him some love in the comments! 👏🦁#DRAvLIO#ForOurCity@vodacom #URC | #HitsDifferent#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/ZHuzF9U393
With the positive results for the Lions and Bulls, it comes as no surprise that their players topped the statistics for South African players this past weekend, contributing to their victories on the road.
In the Independent Newspapers URC team of the week, there was no space for any players from the Sharks or Stormers, owing to their struggles at Benetton and Edinburgh respectively. It was a forgetful Saturday for both sides.
The Bulls' forwards, with the all-Springbok front row of Wilco Louw, Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp at the helm, paved the way for their set-piece dominance. And then there is the Bok trio of Willie le Roux, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, and outside centre Canan Moodie who shined at the back. Le Roux had some magical touches in the build-up of the two Arendse tries, while he relieved pressure on his side with his kicks at crucial stages.
The Lions' loose trio of Jarod Cairns, Francke Horne and JC Pretorius were instrumental in their fighting win. Cairns deservedly got the Player of the Match reward which could have easily gone to Horne.
Best SA game of the weekend
It's a close shave between the Lions and Bulls, but the maturity the Ellis Park side showed when they shut down wave after wave of attack from Cardiff, indicates they have turned a corner when it comes to closing out games. While a few players were outstanding, it was the team effort that concluded the win at the death.
Best player
Without the calmness of veteran Le Roux, who was instrumental when the Bulls played with 13 players, the Loftus side might not have clinched the win. He oozes class when his side is under pressure and how he guides the more inexperienced players to keep them calm is something plenty of sides will envy. Lions loose-forwards Jarod Cairns and Francke Horne, alongside Elrigh Louw of the Bulls, also deserve honourable mentions for their contributions.