Skinstad: Tambwe SA’s standout player in URC

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Former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad has singled out Vodacom Bulls wing Madosh Tambwe as one of the best performers in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

The Stormers upset the Sharks 20-10 and the Bulls beat the Lions 21-13 in another round of derby fixtures for the South African teams in the URC. According to Skinstad, it’s clear that the competition creates potent opportunities for young players, which could open the door to bigger things.

“The United Rugby Championship and social media are coming together perfectly,” said Skinstad.

“As a young player, if you put in a great performance or a Player of the Match performance on the weekend, you can be certain people are looking and will be talking about you on Monday. And the right people will be noticing.”

Case in point is Tambwe, who produced yet another Man of the Match performance for the Bulls.

“He was the standout player for me in that game,” said Skinstad.

“He did start by giving away a penalty, but then he just powered through the rest of that match. Madosh is big, strong and fast. He’s finishing well and making big tackles, and isn’t making too many huge defensive errors.”

Commenting on the teams’ overall performances this past weekend, Skinstad revealed he was particularly impressed with the Stormers, who he believes is leading the way for SA teams in the URC.

“From a personal point of view, it’s nice for me to see the Stormers leading the way for the South African teams,” Skinstad explained.

“Their 20-10 victory over the Sharks was a bit of an arm-wrestle, but that happens when two teams know each other so well. But what was pleasing for me, and I think it will be the same for John Dobson, is that the Stormers have until now scored 58% of their points in the first half, and in this match it was great to see them shift that around and be dominant in the second half as well.

“And the chip-and-chase try by Seabelo Senatla before half time was brilliant. Overall, I think the Stormers did a much better job of their exits from the danger zones.

“As for the Jukskei derby, it was typical 10-man rugby from the Bulls but it got them the points they needed, and with Morne Steyn again providing such consistency with his kicking.”

Looking ahead, Skinstad sees the Stormers in the best position of all the South African teams as the international leg of the competition edges closer.

“I think they’ll feel they can make a real run of it and I’m looking forward to when they travel. Sure, they’re still in the bottom half of the table. But they have games in hand. If they win their remaining games, they’ll overtake Connacht on the log. As it stands, they’ve got two matches in hand and are only two points behind Connacht.”

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