Rugby Championship - Team of the Tournament

This week the @rugby365com team sat down to engage in our favourite pastime – put on our selection hats to decide the best-of-the-best from the just-completed Rugby Championship.

All four teams changed regularly during the tournament, adding some complexity to the ‘selection’ process.

After some vigorous debating, we finally came up with our Team of the Tournament!

15 Aphelele Fassi (South Africa)

The ‘find’ of the season for South Africa, even though it is his second bite at the Bok cherry. This time he took his chances – and showed great improvement in his aerial and defensive games, added to his already well-documented counter-attacking ability. There will be life after Willie le Roux.

14 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

Again showed why he was one of the best in the business – adding line-out throwing to his repertoire, to go with playing at scrumhalf, scoring tries and breaking opposition ankles with his stepping.

13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa)

Continued his amazing World Cup form – topping the Rugby Championship ‘Clean Breaks’ chart to go with his defensive skills. Some competition from Lucio Cinti and Anton Lienert-Brown.

12 Santiago Chocobares (Argentina)

He was world-class in the wins over New Zealand (away), Australia and South Africa (at home). Damian de Allende had his moments, but not as consistent as the Los Pumas inside centre.

11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa)

In a team that changed constantly from game to game, he had limited chances. However, his performance in Round One – three clean breaks in eight carries and five defenders beaten to go with two tries – is far superior to his rivals. For the record, his tournament take of seven clean breaks is second only to teammate Jesse Kriel.

10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)

Some vigorous debate for this position, with solid arguments for Damian McKenzie and Tomas Albornoz. Despite getting some pushback from coach Rassie Erasmus – over his failure to disclose an injury – Feinberg-Mngomezulu moved up the Springbok pecking order and added an attacking level that can take the national team into a bright new future.

9 – Cortez Ratima (New Zealand)

Tough choice, as all the teams rotated their No.9s. Ratima took his impressive Super Rugby form into the Rugby Championship. South Africa’s Cobus Reinach, Jaden Hendrikse and Morné van den Berg also put up their hands.

8 – Juan Martin Gonzalez (Argentina)

Joaquin Oviedo started more games at the back of the Los Pumas scrum, but Gonzalez’s performance in the 60-point rout of Australia sees him edge Elrigh Louw, one of the newcomers to the Bok scene.

7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Simply the best player in the world – whether it is on attack or defence. He is a class apart.

6 – Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)

Barnstorming runs and rugged defending, the 22-year-old has been another revelation in the competition and certainly points to a bright All Black future.

5 – Ruan Nortje (South Africa)

It took a few injuries to open a spot for him, but he grabbed his chance with both hands. Maybe not flawless, but topped the tournament’s line-out stats and put in some impressive performances that ensured he will be a more regular feature in future matchday squads.

4 – Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

We could wax lyrical about his record-breaking feat as the most capped Springbok. However, we would rather point out the value he brings as an enforcer, and line-out exponent, at the breakdown and, at times, on defence.

3 – Frans Malherbe (South Africa)

One of the best in the game, going about his business with a quiet aplomb. He consistently dominates in the front row.

2 – Julian Montoya (Argentina)

The 100 Test cap Los Pumas captain leads quietly and by example. Codie Taylor, Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi also had their moments.

1 – Ox Nche (South Africa)

We want to know what is in those cakes Retshegofaditswe ‘Tshego’ Nché consumes. What we do know, is those are #NOT salads.

The @rugby365com individual selections

Annemie Bester XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Ox Nche.

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Will Jordan, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ox Nche.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Ox Nche.

* Picture credit: Johan Orton media