Rugby Championship team, coach and play of the week

Rugby Championship team, coach and play of the week

Round one of the rugby Championship had everything! In the 1st match the Springboks had too much power of the Wallabies beating them 33-7 while Argentina stunned the All Blacks in Wellington 38-30.

Here is our team of the week, coach and play of the week

1. Ox Nche

Wallaby captain Allan Alaalatoa will want to forget this test as Nche was all over him in the scrums. He also carried the ball powerfully

2. Agustin Creevy 


Stalwart Agustin Creevy scored the decisive try to give Argentina a famous win.


3. Frans Malherbe

Together with Nche, Australia could not move him in the scrums. Rock on defence with seven tackles.

4. Eben Etzebeth 

The veteran lock was a colossus in the physical exchanges. He was also key in the Springboks lineout, winning six.His impact on the field was significant

5. Sam Darry

Darry won five lineouts for the All Blacks but the night will be remembered for his try on his debut

6.Pablo Matera 

He was the best player on the field and with 20 carries and 10 tackles he lead Argentina to a famouse victory

7. Siya Kolisi

It was a great performance from the Springbok captain.  He tackled like a machine and he scored a try from a driving maul in the 10th minute.

8. Ardie Savea 

Led well in Scott Barrett’s absence. Equalled Beauden Barrett for most run-metres

9. Gonzalo Bertranou

Accurate passes helped Argentina stay on the front foot. Kicked well out of hand

10. Santiago Carreras

100% off the kicking tee and was a general on attack. 18 Points haul

11. Kurt-Lee Arendse 

Was a thorn in the Australian defence scoring two tries. Kept his width well to give the Springbok centers more room to operate.

12. Damian de Allende

Made a couple of big hits, and was a physical presence with ball-in-hand and in defence.

13. Jessie Kriel

Kriel showcased his stepping and running skills a bit more in this match, the highlight being his winding line-break to set up Kurt-Lee Arendse’s second try.

14. Matias Moroni 

Moroni was all over Sevu Reece on defence, making a total of 10 tackles and winning one turnover. Was a handfull on attack

15. Willie Le Roux

The veteran fullback played an important part of South Africa’s attacking system and joined the Springbok attack on several occasions. With his left boot he helped the Springboks get out of trouble a few times.

Coach of the Week

Felipe Contepomi - After being announced as the head coach of Argentina in December of 2023, this will be a game he will not forget. His team kept the pressure on New Zealand and played in the right areas.

Play of the week

South Africa's first try was one people would remember for years to come. The Springboks threw to the back of the lineout but the receiving pod passed the ball to another pod who setup up a maul for Kolisi to score.

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