What an electrifying weekend in the Investec Champions Cup—South African squads are finally hitting their stride on European soil, delivering jaw-dropping displays that have us all buzzing! The Stormers and Sharks stole the show with their dominant wins, while Toulon's thrilling victory over Bath at Mayol Stadium added that extra layer of drama. If you're new to rugby, think of this as the elite club competition where the world's best teams clash, and this round was packed with standout individual efforts. Let's dive into our Team of the Week for Round Two, celebrating the players who lit up the pitch.
15. Mike Haley (Munster): This fullback sparked Munster's attacking fire, weaving through defenses and snagging a try of his own to cap off a dynamic performance. For beginners, a fullback is like the last line of defense and the first to launch counter-attacks—Haley nailed that role. Glasgow's Josh McKay shone brightly too, cutting through the misty, rainy conditions at Scotstoun like a beacon. Bristol's Benjamin Elizalde continues to impress as a smart signing by coach Pat Lam, proving his worth in their big win. And over in France, Toulon's Mathis Ferte is turning heads in the media; his Sunday heroics against Bath make it clear why he's on everyone's lips.
14. Dylan Maart (Stormers): The Stormers were unstoppable in Gqeberha (that's Port Elizabeth for newcomers), dismantling a depleted La Rochelle side with flair. Maart, on the wing, was part of that fiery attack. Bristol's Kalaveti Ravouvou keeps adding tries to his tally, lighting up their rout of Section Paloise. Even in defeat, Bath's Joe Cokanasiga was a aerial maestro against Toulon, leaping for high balls like a pro—reminding us wings are crucial for those contested catches.
13. Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks): Hooker's physical presence at outside center has some South African fans debating if that's his ideal international spot, where his bulk and explosiveness can really dominate. For context, centers are the midfield engines linking forwards and backs. Toulon's Nacho Brex is settling in nicely at his new club, scoring a pivotal try at Mayol that swung momentum. Glasgow's Stafford McDowall was a star once more in their unforgettable triumph.
12. Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Begles): Moefana's return from injury was a revelation, showcasing the flair France has missed at inside center while partnering the unpredictable fly-half Matthieu Jalibert. Sharks' Andre Esterhuizen bullied the gain line— that's the area where teams advance the ball—in Durban's summer showers. Shoutout to Toulon's Jeremy Sinzelle for hitting 100 caps across three Top 14 clubs and tackling relentlessly in that epic clash. Munster's Alex Nankivell also excelled against a weakened Gloucester.
11. George Hendy (Northampton Saints): Hendy was a try-scoring sensation, bagging a hat-trick in Northampton's crushing win, constantly outfoxing the disorganized Bulls defense at Franklin's Gardens. Bordeaux's Louis Bielle-Biarrey predictably notched another score, while Leicester's Ollie Hassell-Collins fought back with a gritty try despite the loss to Leinster.
Northampton Saints player ratings: Fin Smith ‘a class above’ as Henry Pollock ‘wreaks havoc’ over Bulls (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/northampton-saints-player-ratings-fin-smith-a-class-above-as-henry-pollock-wreaks-havoc-over-bulls)
10. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors): Picking a fly-half this week was torture—fly-halves are the quarterbacks of rugby, dictating play and kicks. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jalibert, and Marcus Smith all dazzled, but Hastings' masterful comeback against Toulouse in pouring rain edges it out. That Toulouse side is a powerhouse, so facing them elevates his performance. Legendary stuff!
9. Cobus Reinarch (Stormers): The veteran scrum-half—think of scrum-halves as the speedy links feeding the ball from rucks—was electric again for the Stormers. England's depth at nine is insane, with Alex Mitchell and Raffi Quirke impressing, while George Horne and Baptiste Serin orchestrated Glasgow and Toulon's big wins. Harlequins' Will Porter sizzled with two tries beside Smith in their send-off of Bayonne.
Now, shifting gears to the pack that powers it all—the forwards. These guys are the muscle, scrummaging, tackling, and driving forward in the trenches.
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints) (https://www.planetrugby.com/tag/henry-pollock): Don't let his bold personality fool you—Pollock delivers massive, fun, and lightning-fast plays to match his talk. No. 8s are versatile forwards who carry the ball from the base of the scrum. Glasgow's Jack Dempsey, Leinster's Caelan Doris, and Sharks' Evan Roos, who's rediscovered his top form, were close calls. Props to 19-year-old La Rochelle's Lucas Andjisseramatchi for a composed debut against the Stormers despite the defeat.
7. Charles Ollivon (Toulon): Le Boss is roaring back! This towering French flanker influences both attack and defense like few others, hauling Toulon past a tough Bath team. He's our Player of the Weekend for that grit. Stormers' Paul de Villiers was right there with him, Glasgow's Rory Darge stole the breakdown battles from Jack Willis, and Bristol's Fitz Harding pulsed through their win at Ashton Gate.
6. Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors): If 'Warrior' was a jersey, it'd fit Brown perfectly—this blindside flanker was colossal in Scotstoun's downpour, excelling for the second straight week. Bath's Ted Hill and Northampton's Lewis Ludlam waged an epic duel in Toulon, both excelling, while Sale's Jacques Vermeulen deserved a nod after his strong outing.
Glasgow v Toulouse: Five takeaways as Warriors claim one of their ‘greatest victories’ to spoil Antoine Dupont’s first start since return (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/glasgow-v-toulouse-five-takeaways-as-warriors-claim-one-of-their-greatest-victories-to-spoil-antoine-duponts-first-start-since-return)
5. Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks): This lock is building serious hype with his imposing game—locks are the tall towers in the second row, key for lineouts and scrums. England craves more giants like him; Alex Coles scored for Saints, and Bristol's Joe Batley showed his scoring hunger again.
4. Kieran Treadwell (Harlequins): In a weekend of blowouts, Harlequins' 68-point thrashing only yields one spot, and it's this lock who earned it with a try and lineout mastery—lineouts are those set restarts where height rules. He outshone Saints' JJ van der Mescht and Leinster's Joe McCarthy, both solid.
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors): Tighthead props like Fagerson anchor the scrum's right side, and choosing between him and Kyle Sinckler was brutal. Fagerson overcame early scrum wobbles to lead by example in the Toulouse epic, securing the nod.
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster): The hooker—vital for accurate throws into lineouts and scrum stability—keeps scoring like clockwork from the bench in world-class fashion. Sharks' Bongi Mbonambi was a scrummaging monster, Glasgow's Gregor Hiddleston a local hero, and Toulon's Teddy Baubigny nailed a key try as a sub.
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears): Genge, the loosehead prop who props up the scrum's left, scorched in for the quickest try right off kickoff, sparking Bristol's flood of points at Ashton Gate. UBB's Jefferson Poirot is equally vital for his side, scoring vintage-style, while Toulon's Jean-Baptiste Gros and Dany Priso outmuscled Bath's strong front row.
READ MORE: Bristol v Pau: Five takeaways as Pat Lam’s hungry Bears give Top 14 high flyers ‘the mother of all maulings’ (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bristol-v-pau-five-takeaways-as-pat-lams-hungry-bears-give-top-14-high-flyers-the-mother-of-all-maulings)
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Henry Pollock's trash-talking style a breath of fresh air or a distraction in a sport that values humility? And this is the part most people miss—South African teams dominating now, but can they sustain it against Europe's heavy hitters? What do you think—does Pollock back up his words enough to be a future star, or is Ollivon's leadership the real game-changer? Drop your takes in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree with our picks or have your own Team of the Week!
