Team of the Week: Green tinge
It may not be a totally dominant colour, but there is a bigger tinge of South Africa's Green and Gold in our first Team of the Week for the June international window.
With the British and Irish Lions' midweek games also coming into the selection frame, we had a large number of candidates.
In the end South Africa, with six players starting, edged New Zealand (four) in our frontline selection.
France, Italy (both two) and Samoa (one) make up the numbers.
The British and Irish Lions may not have any starting members, but with six players in our back-up squad they make a healthy contribution.
New Zealand, France, Scotland (two each, Samoa, South Africa and the Reds (one each) make up the numbers.
Team of the week – Internationals, Week One:
15 – Willie le Roux (South Africa):
It may have been a nervous start, but once he settled down he showed that South Africa have indeed unearthed a new star.
Bubbling under: James So'oialo (Samoa)
14 – Bryan Habana (South Africa):
He is such a pleasure to watch when he goes on those mazy runs. Sometimes it seems even the opposition are standing still and just watching in amazement.
Bubbling under: Ben Smith (New Zealand)
13 – JJ Engelbrecht (South Africa):
Tough call, especially as the Springbok rookie made a few errors. But the future looks bright for those who want to see SA play an expansive game.
Bubbling under: Florian Fritz (France)
12 – Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand):
He answered his critics in the most emphatic fashion.
Bubbling under: Manu Tuilagi (British and Irish Lions)
11 – Alesana Tuilagi (Samoa):
Imagine the damage he can do behind a dominant pack with a surfeit of possession.
Bubbling under: Tommy Bowe (British and Irish Lions)
10 – Morné Steyn (South Africa):
The battles of 2012 are now well and truly behind him. He again proved he is so much more than just a 'kicking' flyhalf.
Bubbling under: Quade Cooper (Reds)
9 – Aaron Smith (New Zealand):
Showed why so many pundits rate him as one of the best No.9s in the world.
Bubbling under: Ben Youngs (British and Irish Lions)
8 – Kieran Read (New Zealand):
Another tough call, as there were a number of stand-out performances in this position. Read remains the premier No.8, but the chasing bunch are closing in.
Bubbling under: Pierre Spies (South Africa)
7 – Arno Botha (South Africa):
Another Bok rookie who justified the faith the coach showed in him. Raw and by no means flawless, but pure talent.
Bubbling under: Sean O'Brien (British and Irish Lions)
6 – Thierry Dusautoir (France):
The Dark Destroyer didn't succeed in helping his team achieve a rare win on New Zealand soil, but he put in a valiant effort.
Bubbling under: Alasdair Strokosch (Scotland)
5 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand):
He is becoming the rock of the All Black pack.
Bubbling under: Geoff Parling (British and Irish Lions)
4 – Sebastien Vahaamahina (France):
He will be key to France if they are to be a force in the years to come, especially looking to the 2015 World Cup.
Bubbling under: Luke Romano (New Zealand)
3 – Lorenzo Cittadini (Italy):
Helped teach the Springbok a serious scrumming lesson.
Bubbling under: Adam Jones (British and Irish Lions)
2 – Adriaan Strauss (South Africa):
His energetic play and high workrate, not to mention his physical presence, makes him a vital component in the Bok pack.
Bubbling under: Steven Lawrie (Scotland)
1 – Alberto de Marchi (Italy):
Ask Jannie du Plessis why his name is on this list.
Bubbling under: Thomas Domingo (France)
Our individual selections:
Nick Tatham XV: 15 James So'oialo, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Steven Lawrie, 1 Alberto de Marchi.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 James So'oialo, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Tommy Bowe, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Quintin van Jaarsveld XV: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dave Wilson, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Joe Marler.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Alberto de Marchi.
