Team of the Week: Cape of Storms

 

It was always going to be a monumental clash, with plenty of interested followers as the 'house full' signs went up in Cape Town.

 

The enterprising backs of the Cape outfit, such as Cheslin Kolbe and Damien de Allende, were backed up well by the abrasive forwards.

 

Duane Vermeulen led superbly, Eben Etzebeth enforced with his physicality and Steven Kitshoff scrummed – and ran – his heart out.

 

The Lions and Cheetahs are also well represented after putting on a fantastic show for the neutral spectator. 

 

Joe Pietersen was exciting at fullback, Harold Vorster continues to grow along side Elton Jantjies, who is pushing hard for a World Cup berth.

 

Franco Mostert is a true unsung hero for the Lions and Johannes Prinsloo is much the same for the Cheetahs.

 

The Hurricanes keep marching on – thanks, in part, to their excellent half back pairing of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett.

 

The Chiefs also have a number of impressive individuals showing their worth, such as Hika Elliot, Brodie Retallick and Charlie Ngatai.

 

 

15 – Joe Pietersen (Cheetahs): Made the transition back to his preferred position with ease and showed another side of his brilliant attacking prowess.

Bubbling under: Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers)

 

 

14 – Francois Hougaard (Bulls): By far the best wing in South Africa at the moment, but is it enough to break into the Springboks as a first-choice selection in the position?

Bubbling under: Ruan Combrinck (Lions)

 

 

13 – Samu Kerevi (Reds): Was the spark the Reds needed, and if he could have kept on going for a full 80 minutes the Hurricanes could have been in some trouble.

Bubbling under: Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs)

 

 

12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers): The No.12 stocks in South Africa are extremely rich at the moment with De Allende never disappointing and some dark horses racing into form.

Bubbling under: Harold Vorster (Lions)

 

 

11 – Tim Nanai-Williams (Chiefs): Nanai-Williams was incredibly elusive, showing off some of his Sevens skills as he weaved is way to the try line and through the Force's defence.

Bubbling under: Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)

 

 

10 – Elton Jantjies (Lions): antjies has always been a great attacking threat with ball in hand. Now however, he is showing what a good game manager he can be as he controls a well oiled Lions team.

Bubbling under: Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)

 

 

9 – TJ Perenara (Hurricanes):  Perenara is in some scintillating form as he racks up the tries. He will be a perfect back-up – if not a front-runner – for the All Blacks.

Bubbling under: Francois de Klerk (Lions)

 

 

8 – Duane Vermeulen (Stormers): A captain's knock of note. Battled hard in a physical game right up until that critical charge down.

Bubbling under: Pierre Spies (Bulls)

 

 

7 – David Pocock (Brumbies):  Sure, he got a hat-trick, but his work at the breakdown, and even his ball carrying, is what were really impressive.

Bubbling under: Johannes Prinsloo (Cheetahs)

 

 

6 – Jordan Tafua (Crusaders): Tafua is constantly impressing for the Crusaders and it remains to be seen how much All Black coach Steve Hansen has been watching.

Bubbling under: Jacques Potgieter (Waratahs)

 

 

5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): If there is hard work to be done, Retallick is always your go-to man. He is not afraid to do the work that others shy away from.

Bubbling under: Franco Mostert (Lions)

 

 

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers): The enforcer is back to his best and adds some much needed abrasiveness to the Stormers pack.

Bubbling under: Will Skelton (Waratahs)

 

 

3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers): Malherbe took a big step towards regaining his Springbok jumper after his injury absence. Good in the loose and solid in the scrum.

Bubbling under: Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)

 

 

2 – Hika Elliot (Chiefs): A lively hooker that adds a lot to the Chiefs pack,  especially alongside some of their bigger, bulkier forwards.

Bubbling under: Stephan Moore (Brumbies)

 

 

1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers): As always, Kitshoff's scrumming was spot on, but this week he really racked up the mileage with some brilliant carries and offloads.

Bubbling under: James Slipper (Reds)

 

 

 

Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

 

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Johannes Prinsloo, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 James Slipper.

 

Andrew Duncan XV: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Brodie Retallick , 4 Will Skelton, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

 

Michael de Vries XV: 15 James Marshall, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Elton Jantjies

9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Tony Woodcock.

 

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Francois Hougaard , 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Nemani Nadolo , 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Benn Robinson.

 

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Tim Nanai-Willaims, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

 

Darryn Pollock XV: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Tim Nanai-Willaims, 10 Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 David Pocock, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Will Skelton, Sekope Kepu, 2 Hika Elliot, Steven Kitshoff.

 

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round 10: 15 – Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes), 14 – Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – George Moala (Blues), 11 – James O'Connor (Reds), 10 – Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), 9 – Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 – Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), 7 – Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 – Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 – Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Nine: 15 – Jesse Kriel (Bulls), 14 – Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 13 – Juan de Jongh (Stormers), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), 9 – Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 – Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 – Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 – Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs), 5 – Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), 2 – Stephan Moore (Brumbies), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Eight: 15 – Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 – Tom Marshall (Chiefs), 13 – Henry Speight (Brumbies), 12 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Colin Slade (Crusaders), 9 – Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Warrick Tecklenburg (Lions), 6 – Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Scott Sio (Brumbies), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Seven: 15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 – Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 – Patrick Osborne (Highlanders), 10 – Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Warrick Tecklenburg (Lions), 6 – Renaldo Bothma (Sharks), 5 – Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 – Jeremy Thrush (Hurricanes), 3 – Trevor Nyakane (Bulls), 2 –  Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Pauliasi Manu (Chiefs).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Six: 15 – Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 – Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Dan Carter (Crusaders), 11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 – Pat Lambie (Sharks), 9 – Cobus Reinach (Sharks), 8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 – Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 – Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Scott Sio (Brumbies), 2 – Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 – Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).  

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Five: 15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 – Bryce Heem (Chiefs), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Damien de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Patrick Osborne (Highlanders), 10 – Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 – Ita Vaea (Brumbies), 7 – Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 – Elliot Dixon (Highlanders), 5 – Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Ben Alexander (Brumbies), 2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 – Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Four: 15 – Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), 14 – Henry Speight (Brumbies), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Damien de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Joe Tomane (Brumbies), 10 – Handre Pollard (Bulls), 9 – Nic White (Brumbies), 8 – Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 7 – Warrick Tecklenburg (Lions), 6 – Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 – Steve Mafi (Western Force), 4 – Franco Mostert (Lions), 3 – Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), 2 – Siyabonga Ntubeni (Stormers), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Three: 15 – Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 14 – Cornal Hendricks (Cheetahs), 13 – Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 12 – Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 – Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 – Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 – Will Genia (Reds), 8 – Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 – Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 6 – Adam Thomson (Reds), 5 – Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 4 – Matt Symons (Chiefs), 3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), 2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).      

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round Two: 15 – Andries Coetzee (Lions), 14 – Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 13 – Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 – Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 – Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 10 – Pat Lambie (Sharks), 9 – Will Genia (Reds), 8 – Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 – Renaldo Bothma (Sharks), 6 – Adam Thomson (Reds), 5 – Lopeti Timani (Rebels), 4 – Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 – Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 – Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 – Scott Sio (Brumbies).

 

Team of the Week: Super Rugby, Round One: 15 – Mike Harris (Rebels), 14 – Luke Morahan (Western Force), 13 – Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 – Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 – Rob Horne (Waratahs), 10 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 9 – Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs), 8 – Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 7 – David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 – Scott Fardy (Brumbies), 5 – Lopeti Timani (Rebels), 4 – Sam Wykes (Western Force), 3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs), 2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 – Scott Sio (Brumbies).