Currie Cup best XV: All based on stats

Here’s a breakdown of the Currie Cup’s top performers, based on pure statistics, alloutrugby. Let’s see how they stack up against your personal favourites.

1. Thomas Du Toit (Sharks)

Loosehead Thomas du Toit emerged as one of the most exciting players in the tournament and a gem that South African can polish in the years to come. He has proven himself to be a versatile prop forward who is explosive in general play with 66 ball carries in the tournament. He offloads the ball well and has had effected an impressive eight turnovers. He can scrum, even though it didn’t always look like it against Wilco Louw in the final.

2. Franco Marais (Sharks)

Franco Marais was a consistent performer for the Sharks, helping them to a home final. His disciplined style saw him concede only eight penalties throughout the tournament.

3. Wilco Louw (Western Province)

This season he has been destructive in giving WP the edge at scrum time. He has been immovable and that quality has formed the foundation of WP’s win in the final. Louw made 16 dominant tackles in the tournament and went about his work efficiently and without fuss.

4. Chris van Zyl (Western Province)

Captain of the Currie Cup Champions in 2017, ‘Pickle’ was an ever-present for Province, playing 1006 minutes in a victorious campaign. Van Zyl’s work rate saw him make 154 tackles (only teammate Nizaam Carr made more). Van Zyl won 54 lineouts (more than any other player) and he stole the second most lineouts (8)..

5. JD Schickerling (Western Province)

Schickerling played the most minutes in the tournament with 1043, and made the most dominant tackles (43). He completed 94% of his tackles and made 114 ball carries (the sixth most).

6. Keegan Daniel (Sharks)

Daniel played 987 minutes, scored three tries and made 19 offloads. He also made 5 turnovers, won 26 lineouts and won two on opposition throw.

7. Dan du Preez (Sharks)

One of three brothers, Du Preez conceded just one penalty at ruck time, made 14 offloads and also won three lineout wins.  

8. Nizaam Carr (Western Province)

Carr made 13 tackle breaks, 23 offloads and 157 ball carries (this stat was the highest of any player in the tournament). He also scored five tries. Carr’s 194 tackles were a tournament high.

9. Dewald Duvenhage (Western Province)

Duvenhage completed 65 out of 66 passes in the final and made the second most passes in the tournament (450), despite playing only 489 minutes.

10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)

Bosch ended with five successful drop goals, and the second most points (93).

11. Seabelo Senatla (Western Province)

Senatla scored seven tries and forced seven turnovers.

12. Huw Jones (Western Province)

Jones scored a brace in the final and seven tries in the tournament. He made 15 offloads and 18 dominant tackles. He was strong in the final, making nine tackles.

13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)

Sharks outside centre Am, has been dominant in the Sharks Currie Cup campaign. He made nine line breaks and eight turnovers and impressed with the all-round balance in his game.

14. Dillyn Leyds (Western Province)

Leyds’s versatility was showcased in WP’s campaign and he played in three different positions. He also scored a try in the final.
15. Warrick Gelant (Bulls)

Gelant’s 10 tries were the most in the tournament, as was his 1578 metres with ball in hand. He also had the most linebreaks (22) and the second most offloads (21).

Honourable mentions

Damian Willemse

Tyler Paul

Bongi Mbonambi

Jaco Coetzee

Robert du Preez