Team of the Tournament: Best of the Best
It comes as no surprise that players from this year's finalists, the Hurricanes and Lions, make up most of the team. Both teams have been outstanding in this year's competition.
Other teams represented in our selection includes the Highlanders, Crusaders, Chiefs and Stormers.
Ben Smith, Ruan Combrinck and Nemani Nadolo makes up the back three with Ryan Crotty and Rohan Janse van Rensburg in the midfield.
Beauden Barrett is our choice at flyhalf, with Aaron Smith in the No.9 jersey.
In the pack, Warren Whiteley, Ardie Savea and Jaco Kriel are in the back row. In the second row, we have Brodie Retallick and Eben Etzebeth.
Julian Redelinghuys, Dane Coles and Reggie Goodes make up the front row.
Team of the Tournament:
15 – Ben Smith (Highlanders)
He was one of the best players with ball in hand throughout the tournament. He scored and created tries and left plenty of defenders in his wake with his speed and guile.
Bubbling under: Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
14 – Ruan Combrinck (Lions)
The Springbok scored eight tries in this year's campaign and ranks in the top three for clean breaks and defenders beaten in the competition. His power and speed out wide gave teams plenty of problems this year.
Bubbling under: Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders)
13 – Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
The midfield veteran gave 100 percent for his team and he was a much-improved player for the seven-time champions this season. He also led by example in the Crusaders' backline.
Bubbling under: Lionel Mapoe (Lions)
12 – Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions)
He was a revelation for the Lions in this season's campaign. He got his team over the advantage line most of the time with some strong carries. He also scored ten tries.
Bubbling under: David Havili (Crusaders)
11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)
His offloading abilities in the tackle gave the Crusaders a huge advantage out wide. Teams just struggled to bring this big man to ground when he was in full flight.
Bubbling under: James Lowe (Chiefs)
10 – Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
He finished as the competition's leading points scorer. It has been a remarkable season for the young man. His game management was world class and he was a constant attacking threat with his vision and speed.
Bubbling under: Elton Jantjies (Lions)
9 – Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
He is an exceptional player and probably the best in his position at the moment. He played an important role in quite a few of his team's tries this season and his distribution and kicking game throughout the tournament was phenomenal.
Bubbling under: TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
8 – Warren Whiteley (Lions)
Although he did not have a great Final against the Hurricanes, he was one of the most consistent players in terms of performance throughout this year's tournament. He also led by example.
Bubbling under: Michael Leitch (Chiefs)
7 – Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
He is probably the player of the tournament. No player has made more tackles than Savea, while only David Pocock has won more turnover ball than him. His speed and power on attack also caused all sorts of problems for opposition teams this year.
Bubbling under: David Pocock (Brumbies)
6 – Jaco Kriel (Lions)
He epitomised the Lions' spirit on the field with his tenacity on attack and on defence. He has also shown what a good leader he is in Warren Whiteley's absence.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (Chiefs)
5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)
He is one of the best players in the world and he showed it during the tournament. He was brilliant in the line-outs and his physicality in open play helped the Chiefs against stronger opposition.
Bubbling under: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
No one has stolen more line-out ball than this man. He also did some outstanding work for the Stormers in open play, particularly in defence.
Bubbling under: Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes)
3 – Julian Redelinghuys (Lions)
He dominated most opponents in the scrum in this year's competition and was one of the key players in the Johannesburg team's forward pack.
Bubbling under: Charlie Faumuina (Blues)
2 – Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
An exceptional player on attack. He is a hooker, but he has displayed better skills than some backline players. He also played an important role for the Hurricanes at the breakdowns and he was solid on defence as well.
Bubbling under: Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1 – Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes)
He played out of his skin in almost every game he has played in this season. He was solid in the scrums, but outstanding in open play where he scored a few tries and made plenty of tackles for his team.
Bubbling under: Scott Sio (Brumbies)
Our individual selections:
Paul Dobson: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 David Havili, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Tauriq Ebrahim XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Scott Sio.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Dane Coles, Reggie Goodes.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 David Havili, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Scott Sio.
Previous selections:
Team of the week – Semifinals: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Courtnall Skosan (Lions), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Victor Vito (Hurricanes), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Dominic Bird (Chiefs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Loni Uhila (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Quarterfinals: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 James Lowe (Chiefs), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Liam Squire (Highlanders), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 4 Dominic Bird (Chiefs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Kane Hames (Chiefs).
Team of the week – Round 17: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Santiago Cordero (Jaguares), 13 Huw Jones (Stormers), 12 Willis Halaholo (Hurricanes), 11 Tom English (Melbourne Rebels), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Facundo Isa (Jaguares), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Guido Petti Pagadizaval (Jaguares), 3 Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Paddy Ryan (Waratahs).
Team of the week – Round 16: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Ihaia West (Blues), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Steven Luatua (Blues), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 Pieter Labuschagne (Bulls), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 Ash Dixon (Highlanders), 1 Sam Prattley (Blues)
Team of the week – Round 15: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Nicolás Sánchez (Jaguares), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Ruan Ackermann (Lions), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round 14: 15 Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Dave Dennis (Waratahs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round 13: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs), 11 James Lowe (Chiefs), 10 Patrick Lambie (Sharks), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Jannes Kirsten (Bulls), 6 Pieter Labuschagne (Bulls), 5 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 4 Dominic Bird (Chiefs), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Lions), 1 James Slipper (Reds).
Team of the week – Round 12: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Elliot Dixon (Highlanders), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Tim Bond (Sunwolves), 3 Julian Redelinghuys (Lions), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round 11: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 11 Jone Macilai-Tori (Crusaders), 10 Garth April (Sharks), 9 Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies), 8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 5 Stephan Lewies (Sharks), 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues), 3 Josh Hohneck (Highlanders), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders).
Team of the week – Round 10: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Matt Proctor (Hurricanes), 12 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Michael Leitch (Chiefs), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Hendrik Tui (Reds), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Reg Goodes (Hurricanes).
Team of the week – Round Nine: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Reece Hodge (Melbourne Rebels), 12 David Havili (Crusaders), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 Chris Cloete (Southern Kings), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 Vincent Koch (Stormers), 2 Shota Horie (Sunwolves), 1 Toby Smith (Melbourne Rebels).
Team of the week – Round Eight: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 EltonJantjies (Lions), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 Trevor Nyakane (Bulls).
Team of the week – Round Seven: 15 Cheslin Kolbe (Stormers), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Samu Kerevi (Reds), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Patrick Osborne (Highlanders), 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (Stormers), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Warren Whiteley, (Lions), 7 Liam Gill (Reds), 6 Hendrik Tui (Reds), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4 Jason Jenkins (Bulls), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Dyllan Smith (Lions).
Team of the week – Round Six: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Rene Ranger (Blues), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 James Lowe (Chiefs), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Paul Schoeman (Cheetahs), 7 Sean McMahon (Rebels), 6 Cyril-John Velleman (Southern Kings), 5 Lopeti Timani (Rebels), 4 Luke Jones (Rebels), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 James Parsons (Blues), 1 Toby Smith (Rebels).
Team of the week – Round Five: 15 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 14 Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders), 13 Seta Tamanivalu (Chiefs), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Michael Leitch (Chiefs), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Roelof Smit (Bulls), 5 Tomás Lavanini (Jaguares), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Edgar Marutlulle (Southern Kings), 1 Joe Moody (Crusaders).
Team of the week – Round Four: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Santiago Cordero (Jaguares), 13 Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12 George Moala (Blues), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Martin Landajo (Jaguares), 8 Jimmy Tupou (Crusaders), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Blade Thomson (Hurricanes), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Chris Eves (Hurricanes.
Team of the week – Round Three: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Akihito Yamada (Sunwolves), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 Matt Toomua (Brumbies), 11 Joe Tomane (Brumbies), 10 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders, 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 David Pocock (Brumbies), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Franco Mostert (Lions), 4Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the week – Round Two: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Ruan Combrinck (Lions), 13 Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Francois de Klerk (Lions), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Scott Sio (Brumbies).
Team of the week – Round One: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 13 Tamati Ellison (Rebels), 12 Charlie Ngatai (Chiefs), 11 Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs), 10 Robert du Preez (Stormers), 9 Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies), 8 Nizaam Carr (Stormers), 7 Blake Gibson (Blues), 6 Jaco Kriel (Lions), 5 Sam Carter (Brumbies), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Frans Malherbe (Stormers), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (Stormers).
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