United Rugby Championship Team of the week: A Springbok in ...

Just like that the United Rugby Championship semi-finals have come and gone with two epic games being played at the weekend.

All four teams from the weekend feature in our Team of the Week with the Bulls leading the way following their action-packed win against Leinster, while underdogs Glasgow Warriors got reward for sending defending champions Munster crashing out of the tournament.

15 Willie le Roux (Bulls): The veteran was at his best against Leinster as he stepped into first receiver so often to run the attack. In the backfield he was outstanding and his kicking out of hand was just brilliant. Le Roux’s fingerprints were all over the Bulls win and they will miss him in the final with the full-back expected to be sidelined with injury. Leinster’s Jimmy O’Brien was solid for the Irish side.

14 Sergeal Petersen (Bulls): It was a dream performance from a player thrust into a big game having not been at the top of the pecking order all season. Petersen scored two tries in a tireless shift including the decisive try to send the Bulls through to the final. Simply sensational from the wing who is now the only player to reach two finals in the URC for different teams.

"He's a certified Luke Skywalker" ✨

The force is with Sergeal Petersen as he scores another out-of-this-world try ????#BKTURC #URC #BULvLEI pic.twitter.com/WgjtCOGQmm

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 15, 2024

13 Huw Jones (Glasgow): The Scotland centre is always a dangerous runner and adds critical dynamism for Glasgow in the outside channels. He gave Munster hell all game long and ended with a try assist for his efforts. Jones’ partnership with Sione Tuipulotu is massive for both club and country. Munster’s Antoine Frisch was also brilliant in his final game for the club.

12 Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow): Right up there with the best playmaking 12s in the world. Tuipulotu can do it all from taking contact to playing short or long passes to even putting boot to ball while almost always making 10+ tackles. The centre is going to be absolutely vital in the final.

11 James Lowe (Leinster): The wing has been in a rich vein of form for several seasons now and was one of the players to truly stand up for Leinster at Loftus. He scored a try and made over 100 metres with the ball as he did everything in his power to influence the result. The Irishman’s near-perfect game gets him in ahead of Glasgow skipper Kyle Steyn.

10 Johan Goosen (Bulls): The fly-half rolled back the years and put in a shift that will be placed in Loftus folklore for years to come. Goosen scored a lovely try thanks to a great running line and kicked well from the tee, scoring 15 points on the day. It was a calm and mature outing that only just edged the blockbuster shift of Glasgow’s Tom Jordan.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster): One of those players, like Lowe, who will almost always have a good game regardless of whether his side is dominant or not. Gibson-Park picked good options all game and kicked solidly from the base of the ruck, he could not do much more with what he had and that’s why he gets in over Embrose Papier.

Bulls set to lose another Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok for URC Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors

8 Cameron Hanekom (Bulls): The performance of the round and one that has everyone dreaming of Hanekom in a Springbok jersey. The number eight was tireless and brutally physical all game long as he led the Bulls’ charge against the Leinster pack. Not only did he make 17 tackles without missing any he also made 83 metres in his 15 carries, beating six defenders in the process. We are witnessing the rise of a truly special player.

Unbelievable Cameron Hanekom. At 21 and it's scary how much the boy could still improve. He was breathless in the first half and still finished the game. #bulvlei pic.twitter.com/ORlv9Ju3iy

— Mapantsula a Rugby Show (@MapantsulaRugby) June 16, 2024

7 Rory Darge (Glasgow): The Scot has been brilliant this season and gave Munster real issues at the breakdown disrupting their flow and rhythm. He carried well otherwise and made a lot of tackles. Darge’s breakdown exploits win him selection over opposite number John Hodnett who was great for Munster despite losing on the day.

6 Elrigh Louw (Bulls): Another brilliant effort for a player who is looking so complete this season. Louw put his hand up on both sides of the ball leading by example with big metres in the carry and 13 tackles. He is integral to the Bulls and deserves massive praise for an outing that earns him selection over Glasgow’s Matt Fagerson.

5 Ruan Nortje (Bulls): Like a young Lood de Jager with an extra lung! The work rate of the Bulls skipper is never ever in question and he had yet another outstanding performance. He will be a big player to keep an eye on in the final.

4 Tadhg Beirne (Munster): Wore five for Munster but we forced him into our lineup after a shift that couldn’t be ignored. He caused havoc at the breakdown whenever he could and was a defensive beast throughout. He did absolutely everything he could to get his side over the line. Leinster’s Joe McCarthy was a presence for his side but fell on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle too many times to make our team.

3 Wilco Louw (Bulls): Earned his money in the scrum as any good South African tighthead should. It was the kind of outing that underlines his value to the overall Springboks picture leading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Zander Fagerson also impressed for Glasgow.

2 Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls): Busy, energetic and precise describes the South African’s performance as his power contributed to the scrum dominance and his lineout throw-ins were excellent. He was outstanding against Dan Sheehan and may be ready to make more of a splash at Test level. Glasgow’s Johnny Matthews ticked the boxes for the Scots in their semi-final.

1 Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls): Much like his Bulls propping partner, Steenekamp enjoyed a solid performance in the set-piece against the world-class Tadhg Furlong. The platform offered by a powerful scrum is invaluable and Steenekamp is a massive player for the Bulls right now.

READ MORE: Munster dethroned as Glasgow Warriors set up Bulls clash in United Rugby Championship final