The fifth round of the United Rugby Championship was a wrecking ball, with some of the league’s so-called ‘big boys’ being knocked off their perches.
Among the teams who suffered defeats were reigning champions Glasgow, Season 2 champions Munster and previously unbeaten Vodacom Bulls.
While these three giants had buckets of cold water thrown on their engines, the three teams that continued to advance through the third round were Leinster, DHL Stormers and Hollywoodbets Sharks. Leading these three teams was a top-notch Springbok player who looked a class above those around him.
In Galway, RG Snyman looked like LeBron James playing a pick-up basketball game with Woody Harrelson when he made an incredible eight offloads and scored a great try (white male) (but not the non-jumpable version).
Teaming up with Ireland international James Ryan to form one of the best locking combinations in world rugby on paper, Snyman gave Leinster everything they wanted when he signed him. By packing chunks of power into Leinster’s engine room during scrums, Snyman makes the attacking Leinster scrum a force to be reckoned with.
In general play, Snyman’s ability to power through contact and free his hands brings a new dimension to the already complex Leinster attacking game plan.
If the early signs are correct (and we believe they are), Snyman feels like the secret sauce that could finally bring the Men in Blue their fifth European title and first-ever URC. do.
In Cape Town, the backline of the box, Swiss Army knife Damian Willems, reminded Rassie Erasmus that when he’s on form he’s the team’s best player, but it remains to be seen where he will slot in. It remained a Rubik’s Cube with a solution.
Starting at fly-half against a team that had never won in Munster, Willemse was decisive both in his decision-making and physically. The shots on goal, including a drop goal, were huge for a team looking to incorporate the mercurial Mani Livbok into their starting XI over the coming weeks.
If Livbok were to return, it would feel like the most logical choice would be for the Stormers to move back to center or full-back, as they have found some attacking momentum for the first time this season. Running this dual playmaking axis has always been the best approach for the Stormers under head coach John Dobson and should bring more balance to the game. Add South African rugby breakout star Sacha Feinberg-Mgomezulu into the mix and the Cape Towns become a three-headed attacking monster that will be difficult to contain in the final stages of the season.
Finally, Afelele Fassi, who proudly took over Willemse’s green No. 15 shirt this season, is back in action in Durban. Clearly wearing jet shoes, Fassi’s pace scorched defending champions Glasgow Warriors.
Fasci, who topped the team’s meters gained chart with 71, limited the Warriors’ tactical kicking game with his talent for counter-attacking from behind.
Fassi, who has been playing with newfound confidence since returning from Springbok camp, admitted spending time with the world’s best coaches has given him the confidence to truly support himself. .
“I want to give credit to the coaching staff because the confidence they gave you and the players during the week speaks volumes,” Fasci said.
“So when you go out, you’re free, dude.
“You know? I’m not worried about making mistakes. That’s why I work a lot with Willy (Le Roux), Handre (Polar), Lukanyo (Am), (Makazore) Mapimpi and others.
“The way we, the way they understand the game and bring it to me and Sasha (Feinberg-Mgomezulu) and the young guys, when we go out there, it’s like, let’s go out and play. .
“So that’s a good thing, yeah,” he concluded.
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