Du Plessis turns over a new leaf #FanUp
Bismarck du Plessis proved the adage that you can’t keep a good man down with a superb showing for the Cell C Sharks in their Vodacom SupeRugby victory over the Reds over the weekend.
Following his suspension for foul play in the ill-disciplined match against the Chiefs in April, Du Plessis seemed to make up for his earlier indiscretions.
The Vodacom Rugby App reflects that it was his breakdown skills that proved to be the most valuable over the weekend where he dominated the Turnovers Won statistics.
Du Plessis was influential in his side’s return to winning ways with a performance that saw him show vigour on attack and with the ball in hand.
The Springbok hooker made six turnovers in the match to top the rankings with DHL Stormers captain Duane Vermeulen, Emirates Lions skipper Warren Whiteley and Reynold Lee-Lo of the Hurricanes boasting with three each.
Du Plessis also cracked the top-10 in terms of the Tackles stats with the 14 he executed over the weekend.
Warwick Tecklenburg, who made his return to the Lions’ starting XV, dominated this category with the 22 he made.
The hard-working flanker is second on the overall rankings with the 149 he executed so far this season, with Whiteley the clear leader with the 200 he made this season.
Du Plessis also played a role in his captain Marco Wentzel finishing second in terms of the Lineouts won on own throw with the eight he took, while the Highlanders’ Alex Ainly tops the category with nine.
Lions utility back Lionel Mapoe has been another underrated player this season and was devastating in the midfield for his side against the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Mapoe made four Clean Breaks in that match to share the second place on the rankings with the Chiefs’ Augustine Pulu with the Reds’ Chris Kuridrani topping this category with five.
In the Carries stats, Lions fullback Andries Coetzee is also in second place with Dane Haylett-Petty of the Force with 18 apiece while the Chiefs’ Damian McKenzie making 21 to top the rankings.
Round-16 statistics:
Clean Breaks:
1. Chris Kuridrani (Reds) – 5
2. Augustine Pulu (Chiefs) – 4
3. Lionel Mapoe (Lions) – 4
4. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs) – 3
5. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) – 3
Carries:
1. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) – 21
2. Andries Coetzee (Lions) – 18
3. Dane Haylett-Petty (Force) – 18
4. Mark Abbott (Hurricanes) – 17
5. Samu Kerevi (Reds) – 17
Defenders Beaten:
1. Samu Kerevi (Reds) – 10
2. Israel Folau (Waratahs) – 9
3. Augustine Pulu (Chiefs) – 7
4. Coenie van Wyk (Cheetahs) – 7
5. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs) – 7
Tackles:
1. Warwick Tecklenburg (Lions) – 22
2. Brendon Edmonds (Highlanders) – 17
3. Brendon O’Connor (Blues) – 17
4. Jacques du Plessis (Bulls) – 17
5. Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) – 16iy
6. Warren Whiteley (Lions) – 16
Turnovers Won:
1. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks) – 6
2. Duane Vermeulen (Stormerrs) – 3
3. Reynold Lee-Lo (Hurricanes) – 3
4. Warren Whiteley (Lions) – 3
5. Bjorn Basson (Bulls) – 2
Related Posts
« Springboks’ #HomeGroundAdvantage video goes viral 7 Uncapped Players In Ireland Squad »
