Here are the Sharks players’ ratings after their 36-22 win over Gloucester in the Challenge Cup final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday.
15 Aphelele Fassi: The full-back was cautioned by his team and picked up a yellow card in the first half but managed to get back into the game in the second half and with some great movement he scored a brilliant goal under the posts. 7
14 Werner Koch: The dynamic player didn’t have many opportunities to run with the ball, but he kept busy all around the field, whether it was rushing back to cover the backfield or chasing down high balls. It was a solid game. 6
13 Ethan Hooker: A confident move to outside centre, the youngster gave his all on both sides of the ball in the finals, racking up impressive yardage on his carries while completing 100% of his nine tackles. 7
12 Francois Vanter: Although he wasn’t as busy as his centre substitute, he still performed well, playing all the basic plays and making very few errors, putting in a respectable shift. 6
11. Makazole Mapimpi: A brilliant play from one of the Sharks’ greatest ever wingers and a well-deserved cross-kick try after an incredible effort throughout the game – a fitting result for a player who has been a part of the association for so many years. 7
Are the Springboks calling?
10 Shear Mask: Another outstanding performance from fly-half Mask, who scored 21 points and assisted two tries in key moments, was involved in all of the Sharks’ good plays and showed his true Test prowess. 9
9 Grant Williams: It was a very mature performance for a player known primarily for his fast pace, as Williams dominated with some great kicks off the bases, but otherwise managed the tempo of the game well while picking off good runners almost every time. 8
8. Phepsi Buthelezi: The number eight sealed the match with a stunning solo try, including one of the most outrageous dummies you will ever see. 8
😍 For those of you who love idiots!#Glovsha #Challenge Cup Rugby pic.twitter.com/p4ZNFOmzTn
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) May 24, 2024
7 Vincent Zitka: Though fairly quiet by his lofty standards, he still put in a strong performance both defensively and offensively, and also made a vital steal at the breakdown as Gloucester began to gain momentum. 6
6. James Venter: He was probably the Sharks’ hardest worker in open play, making a whopping 18 tackles (eight more than any other player on the team). This was a true performance from the openside and was vital in helping the Sharks maintain their dominance. 8
A dominant front five
5 Gerbrand Grobler: He played well throughout the game, always looking to pressure opponents in the tackles, denying Gloucester a successful gain-line, was solid at the line-out and generally provided an excellent foil to the world-class veterans alongside him. 7
4 Eben Etzebeth: The legendary Springbok added another chapter to his legend with a new title. He was a phenomenal try-saver, but one that may have been questionable from a legal standpoint. And yet he prevented tries. Meanwhile, in open play, the great second-row was a ruthless physical presence. Anyone wondering why he’s nicknamed “The Enforcer” should rewatch this game. 9
👏 Eben Etzebeth! What an amazing try save!#Glovsha #Challenge Cup Rugbypic.twitter.com/nL9typwO4s
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) May 24, 2024
3 Vincent Koch: The player we’ve all been waiting for. His 50:22 performance alone would have been enough to give him full marks, not to mention his dominant scrum performance against Gloucester. A penalty machine and a key driving force in the Tour win over the Sharks. Just brilliant. 9
2 Bongi Mbonambi: Great play. One of those plays that really showed what a hooker can do. Mbonambi showed the power he needed with the ball, was a big part of the scrum and then got a jump shot at the lineout. 8
1. Gyu-nchae: Cake must have been on the menu because, as he famously said, “you don’t win scrums with salads” but on this night the salads won the support of the majority of the scrum. Like Koch, Ntsche is a giant and it’s scary to think how good he will become in the next few years. 9
read more: The Sharks’ Springbok stars overpower the Durban side and claim an historic Challenge Cup title with a win over Gloucester.
