Springbok openside flank Marco van Staden was voted SA Rugby magazine’s MVP after the 24-17 defeat to the All Blacks in Auckland.
In one of SARugbymag.co.za’s tightest MVP polls, Eskom received 11.9% of the readers’ vote, edging out loosehead prop Ox Nche (11.3%) and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach (11%).
In a 75-minute performance, Van Staden made 37 metres on 11 carries, winning one turnover in six tackles.
The Eden Park showdown marked his 30th Test for South Africa since his 2018 debut off the bench against Argentina at Kings Park, and set him apart as one of eight players to feature in five Bok Tests this season.
Now three seasons removed from being told by a specialist that a string of concussions during his time at Leicester meant he “would never play again”, Van Staden has made 21 appearances for South Africa, winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and in 50 appearances for the Bulls has established himself as a mainstay among the Loftus Versfeld heavyweights.
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