Team of the Week: Champion material

After Round 15's action, the team from Johannesburg is represented by five players in our XV. The next best is the Chiefs with four players.

Other teams represented in our XV are the Waratahs, Crusaders, Jaguares, Stormers, Brumbies and Hurricanes.

In the backline, our back three consists of Damian McKenzie, Ruan Combrinck and Nemani Nadolo. In the centres we have Israel Folau and Anton Lienert-Brown.

Our halfback pairing consists of Nicolás Sánchez and Francois de Klerk.

In the pack, we have Ruan Ackermann, Sam Cane and Jaco Kriel in the back row. Our second row consists of Brodie Retallick and Eben Etzebeth.

In the front row we have Julian Redelinghuys, Stephen Moore and Reggie Goodes.

Team of the Week – Round 15:

15 – Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

He was a constant threat on attack against the Crusaders and also had a big hand in one of his team's tries.

Bubbling under: Andrew Kellaway (Waratahs)

14 – Ruan Combrinck (Lions)

The Springbok wing was again influential with ball in hand. He had a number of strong carries and scored a try as well.

Bubbling under: Matt Duffie (Blues)

13 – Israel Folau (Waratahs)

He was quite simply devastating with ball in hand against the Sunwolves. He racked up the running metres, scored a try and helped setup another when he was on the field.

Bubbling under: Samu Kerevi (Reds)

12 – Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)

The centre had a solid showing in wet conditions against the Crusaders. He was strong on defence and got over the advantage line on a few occasions against the Crusaders.

Bubbling under: Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions)

11 – Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders)

The big Fijian terrorised the Chiefs' defence with his powerful carries. He beat a few defenders and was one of  the Crusaders' standout players in their match with the Chiefs.

Bubbling under: James Lowe (Chiefs)

10 – Nicolás Sánchez (Jaguares)

The Argentine pivot controlled the game nicely against the Bulls and he was at the centre of everything the Jaguares did on Saturday.

Bubbling under: Elton Jantjies (Lions)

9 – Francois de Klerk (Lions)

He assisted in two of his team's tries against the Sharks and provided his backline with quick service once again.

Bubbling under: Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies)

8 – Ruan Ackermann (Lions)

It was a great all-round performance by the youngster. He scored a try and had a hand in two other scores against the Sharks. He was also solid on defence and won a few turnovers.

Bubbling under: Steven Luatua (Blues)

7 – Sam Cane (Chiefs)

He was a monster on defence and he was also a nuisance at the breakdowns in his team's win over the Crusaders.

Bubbling under: Michael Hooper (Waratahs)

6 – Jaco Kriel (Lions)

The captain worked tirelessly around the park. He was excellent with ball in hand and scored a try as well. He also tackled his heart out for his team.

Bubbling under: Jack Dempsey (Waratahs)

5 – Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)

The big lock gave the chiefs some much-needed momentum against the Crusaders. He broke tackles and also won a few turnovers for his team as well.

Bubbling under: Franco Mostert (Lions)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)

He was immense against the Melbourne Rebels. He was at his bruising best in open play and also gave the Rebels a few headaches in the line-outs. His power and strength with ball in hand also resulted in a try.

Bubbling under: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)

3 – Julian Redelinghuys (Lions)

He was solid and powerful at scrum time and did what was asked of him around the park.

Bubbling under: Vincent Koch (Stormers)

2 – Stephen Moore (Brumbies)

He scored two tries and he was quite effective every time he carried the ball against the Reds. It was another standout performance from the captain.

Bubbling under: Dane Coles (Hurricanes)

1 – Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes)

He put in a staggering amount of tackles for a prop against the Blues and he also got on the scoreboard with a try.

Bubbling under: Oliver Kebble (Stormers)

Our individual selections: 

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Israel Folau, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 James Lowe, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Reggie Goodes.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Israel Folau, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Reggie Goodes.

Previous selections:

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 Malcom 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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