Team of the week: All in
Given the closeness of the opening round of the Currie Cup competition, which saw just three points separate the teams in the final wash-up, it was a tough task to select the best 15.
In the end all six teams were represented in our famous weekly selection.
It was the Ellis Park showdown, between the Golden Lions and Free State Cheetahs, which produced the most members of our starting XV.
The Cheetahs finished top with five followed closely by the Lions (four).
Griquas and the Blues Bulls have managed two each, while the Sharks and Western Province have one each.
Our back-up squad also features players from all six teams – WP with five topping the list, Griquas and Bulls (three each) next best, followed by the Lions (two), Sharks and Cheetahs (one each).
Team of the week – Round One:
15 – Gio Aplon (Western Province):
One of the most under-utilised players in the Province squad.
Bubbling under: Hennie Daniller (Free State Cheetahs)
14 – Nico Scheepers (Griquas):
He has played so much Super Rugby it was hard to imagine this was his Currie Cup debut.
Bubbling under: Deon Helberg (Golden Lions)
13 – Nicolaas Hanekom (Golden Lions):
There may be a few people at Western Province and Griquas who will regret that the let him go.
Bubbling under: Pat Howard (Western Province)
12 – Robert Ebersohn (Free State Cheetahs):
If there is a midfield injury in the Springbok team, his name may well be the first on the replacement list.
Bubbling under: Howard Mnisi (Griquas)
11 – Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks):
Not many challengers for this spot.
Bubbling under: Cheslin Kolbe (Western Province)
10 – Marnitz Boshoff (Golden Lions):
Even the coach, Johan Ackermann admitted it was a 'mistake' to take him off. So often a player's real value is only realised once he is no longer playing or on the field.
Bubbling under: Gary van Aswegen (Western Province)
9 – Sarel Pretorius (Free State Cheetahs):
He may still have his detractors, but remains a delight to watch.
Bubbling under: Jacques Coetzee (Griquas)
8 – Philip van der Walt (Free State Cheetahs):
Carried his impressive Super Rugby form into the Currie Cup.
Bubbling under: Jacques Botes (Sharks)
7 – Warwick Tecklenburg (Golden Lions):
Some interesting debate around this position, as a number of impressive candidates put their hands up.
Bubbling under: Jacques du Plessis (Blue Bulls)
6 – Johannes Prinsloo (Free State Cheetahs):
He seems to relish the leadership role bestowed upon him.
Bubbling under: Wiaan Liebenberg (Blue Bulls)
5 – Hugo Kloppers (Golden Lions):
The former South African Students representative showed why he was so highly rated in the Western Cape.
Bubbling under: De Kock Steenkamp (Western Province)
4 – Lodewyk de Jager (Free State Cheetahs):
Another player who carried his impressive Super Rugby form into the Currie Cup.
Bubbling under: Hilton Lobberts (Griquas)
3 – Lourens Adriaanse (Griquas):
His impact was devastating on the Sharks – pure Bok!
Bubbling under: Frik Kirsten (Blue Bulls)
2 – Willie Wepener (Blue Bulls):
The veteran showed there is plenty of fight left in his 'old' body.
Bubbling under: Siyabonga Ntubeni (Western Province)
1 – Morné Mellett (Blue Bulls):
The new scrum engagement sequence fits him like a glove. Poor Brok Harris must hate these changes.
Bubbling under: Jacques van Rooyen (Golden Lions)
Our individual selections:
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Pat Howard, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Butch James, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morné Mellet.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Jacques Coetzee, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morné Mellet.
Quintin van Jaarsveld XV: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jacques Botes, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 De Kock Steenkamp, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Morné Mellett.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Morné Mellet.
