Stormers Player Ratings: Powerhouse Shines as Springboks Star Struggles

Bassyonni

Published: January 31, 2026 9:44 PM ET

In a recent United Rugby Championship match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium, the Stormers suffered a 36-24 loss to the Sharks. The game showcased both strong performances and notable struggles among the players, prompting a detailed review of their contributions.

Stormers Player Ratings

Key Players Assessment

15. Damian Willemse: Transitioned back to fullback but struggled to make an impact, resulting in a rating of 5.
14. Dylan Maart: Showed promise early but ultimately faded, earning a 5 for his performance.
13. Wandisile Simelane: Found it difficult to engage throughout the match, also rated at 5.
12. Jonathan Roche: Provided physicality that was lacking last week, contributing significantly with a rating of 7.
11. Leolin Zas: Had a quiet outing and struggled to make a mark, receiving a rating of 5.
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (c): Improved his goal-kicking, showing efficiency with a rating of 7.
9. Cobus Reinach: Scored early but struggled overall with timing, rated at 5.
8. Evan Roos: Failed to make significant impacts despite a few strong carries, rated at 5.
7. Ben-Jason Dixon: Impressed with his physical play, earning a solid rating of 7.
6. Paul de Villiers: Scored a notable try and showcased skill at the breakdown, rated at 7.
5. Ruben van Heerden: Mixed performance, contributing to some issues, yet rated at 6 due to key plays.
4. Adré Smith: Struggled during the match and had a rating of 5.
3. Neethling Fouché: Performed well against his opponent and received a 7 for his contributions.
2. André-Hugo Venter: Had some lineout difficulties, resulting in a rating of 5.
1. Oli Kebble: Showcased strength in his duel and was rated at 6.

Overall Team Performance

The Stormers displayed moments of brilliance but were unable to maintain consistent pressure against the Sharks. Despite some players shining, collective performance nuances highlighted areas needing improvement.

Replacements Impact

The bench players, particularly the front-row, struggled for the Stormers. While some individual efforts stood out, there were several missed opportunities and errors that cost the team valuable momentum.

The Stormers will seek to regroup and address these challenges ahead of their next match in the United Rugby Championship.