The pride of the season

Following their dominant campaign which eventually ended in glory on home turf on Saturday the Lions understandably make up the bulk of our Currie Cup Team of the Tournament.

After a heated selection meeting our panel finally walked out of our boardroom with a list of 15 names that lit up South Africa’s premier domestic competition this season, and there are sure to be more than a few talking points surrounding some of the decisions that were eventually made.

The selection committee tried to pick players that have made an impact on the competition over the entire season, so there are no players who represented the Springboks this year in the final XV.

A major shocker is the fact that there are no Sharks in our team despite the fact that last season’s defending champions came second and reached the final. Although there were a few candidates from Durban who made an impression this season, they were up against some serious quality in their respective positions and can count themselves unlucky to miss out.

In the end there were eight Lions in our team, while next best was the Cheetahs and the Blue Bulls who have three players each that cracked the nod.

This may be somewhat surprising given that the Blue Bulls did not even qualify for the play-offs but this team is about recognising outstanding individual performers rather than teams.

Western Province managed to sneak one player into the team while the Sharks, Griquas and Pumas will have to be content with representation in the Bubbling under team.

Here is our Currie Cup Team of the Tournament:

15 – Jaco Taute (Lions): This electric fullback has been a revelation this season, he injects excitement into the game every time he touches the ball and stood up with some sterling performances in the knock-out phase of the tournament to underline his irresistable talent.
Bubbling under: Riaan Viljoen (Griquas)

14 – Deon van Rensburg (Lions): Mr consistency out wide for the Lions may not dazzle as much as some other players but he is powerful and reliable which means that he has the ability to beat defenders and seldom lets anyone past him.
Bubbling under: Sibusiso Sithole (Sharks)

13 – Doppies la Grange (Lions): Although he spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines through injury while Johann Sadie was running opposition backlines ragged his massive performances in the knock-out matches saw him edge the Bulls-bound Sadie who faded somewhat in the second half of the season. One of the most underrated players in South Africa, he stepped up when it mattered most and deserves every accolade that comes his way.
Bubbling under: Johann Sadie (Western Province)

12 – Francois Venter (Blue Bulls): This powerful runner burst onto the scene after some impressive showings for the SA Under-20 team earlier this year. He uses his considerable physicality to devastating effect, charging through or over defenders regularly while he is also rock solid on defence. One of the many talented youngsters unearthed in this year’s competition.
Bubbling under: Alwyn Hollenbach (Lions)

11 – JJ Engelbrecht (Western Province): This rangy runner was a shining light in the Western Province backline all season. He backs up his clinical finishing skills with a high workrate and it is no surprise that he was voted the players player of the year in the Cape.
Bubbling under: Michael Killian (Lions)

10 – Elton Jantjies (Lions): He followed through on the promise he showed last year by maturing as a player in this year’s competition, evidenced by his assured displays in the knock-out phase. He beat aside the strong challenges of Cheetahs starlet Johan Goosen and the Sharks’ French magician Frederic Michalak by proving to be the most rounded of the candidates. He varies his game well and is deadly off the kicking tee but perhaps most encouraging was the way he kept his cool under pressure in the big matches.
Bubbling under: Johan Goosen (Cheetahs)

9 – Jano Vermaak (Blue Bulls): Started the seaon with the Lions and moved to the Blue Bulls halfway through but he was a constant threat no matter which jersey he was wearing. He is ever-alert and has the ability to make the opposition pay if they take their eye off him for too long, but does not sacrifice in the quality of his service either.
Bubbling under: Sarel Pretorius (Griquas)

8 – Joshua Strauss (Lions): The bearded wonder led the Lions with passion all season and embodied what their entire campaign was all about with his tireless workrate and focused determination. The only factor that counted against him in the selection meeting was the fact that he shaved his beard off after lifting the trophy.
Bubbling under: Nick Koster (Western Province)

7 – Jacques Potgieter (Blue Bulls): Proved to be an inspired signing for the Blue Bulls when he joined them from the EP Kings and looks set to become a vital player for them in the future. Got over the gain line regularly and left his mark on defence with some ferocious tackling to gain selection ahead of promising young players such as Marcell Coetzee and Siya Kolisi while Davon Raubenheimer can also count himself unlucky to miss out after his impressive season was cut short by injury.
Bubbling under: Marcell Coetzee (Sharks)

6 – Derrick Minnie (Lions): A menace at the breakdown all season long, he plays with plenty of fire and tackles like a Trojan. It will be interesting to see whether he can build on this impressive campaign.
Bubbling under: Corne Steenkamp (Pumas)

5 – Franco van der Merwe (Lions): Proved his worth with some dominant performances this season. He was solid in the line-outs and got around the park well to make his presence felt. Although he faced stiff competition from the talented Juandre Kruger he is a whole-hearted competitor whose commitment is never in doubt and he was able to make his experience count at the business-end of the season.
Bubbling under: Juandre Kruger (Blue Bulls)

4 – Francois Uys (Cheetahs): This hard-working lock kept things ticking in the Cheetahs engine room all season, although he may not be the flashiest of players he gets through plenty of hard yards and the value of his contribution to the team cannot be underestimated.
Bubbling under: Wikus van Heerden (Lions)

3 – Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs): Announced himself as a major prospect for the Springboks at tighthead prop when he was given the opportunity to play there through WP Nel’s injury. His scrummaging was impressive and he carried the ball up well and competed for it on the ground just as he did when playing loosehead which was very encouraging.
Bubbling under: Pat Cilliers (Lions)

2 – Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs): The Cheetahs captain led his side admirably this season, solid in the set-pieces and smashing into opponents time and again. He is desperately unlucky not to have played more rugby for the Springboks as he plays with such intensity, and he is sure to push hard for higher honours once more next season.
Bubbling under: Bandise Maku (Lions)

1 – JC Janse van Rensburg (Lions): The rock in the Lions front row can be satisified with a consistent season which saw him develop an effective partnership with Bandise Maku and Pat Cilliers. He was solid in the tight exchanges and got around the park well for a man of his size as well.
Bubbling under: Marcel van der Merwe (Cheetahs)

Previous selections:

Team of the Week, semifinals: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Joshua Strauss, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Derrick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Jean Deysel, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Team of the Week, Round 14: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Pieter Labuschagne, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Dawie Steyn.

Team of the week, Round 13: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Danie Dames, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Alwayn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Jaco Bouwer, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Brad Mockford, 4 Jean Deysel, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Ivann Espag.

Team of the Week, Round 12: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Jonathon Mokuena, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jaco Bouwer, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Michael Rhodes, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Team of the Week, Round 11: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Warwick Tecklenburg, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Dawie Steyn.

Team of the Week, Round 10: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Joshua Strauss, 7 Jacques Potgieter, 6 Corné Steenkamp, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.

Team of the Week, Round Nine: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Joshua Strauss, 7 Tertius Daniller, 6 Corné Steenkamp, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Dean Greyling.

Team of the Week, Round Eight: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Sibusiso Sithole, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Nick Köster, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Corné Steenkamp, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Jan Andre Marais, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Ivann Espag.

Team of the Week, Round Seven: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Riaan Viljoen, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Barry Geel, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Johan Wessels, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Dean Greyling.

Team of the Week, Round Six: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Zane Kirchner, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11, JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Joshua Strauss, 7 Arno Botha, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Dean Greyling.

Team of the Week, Round Five: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Riaan Viljoen, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Pat Lambie, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Freddie Michalak, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Joshua Strauss, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ross Skeate, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Team of the Week, Round Four: 15 Rudi Vogt, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Vainon Willis, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Team of the Week, Round Three: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Mark Richards, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 JJ Engelbrecht, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Corné Steenkamp, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 WP Nel, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.

Team of the Week, Round Two: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Stephen Dippenaar, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Gerhard van den Heever, 10 Freddie Michalak, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nick Köster, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Corné Steenkamp, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 PW Van Vuuren, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.

Team of the Week, Round One: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Richard Lawson, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Ashwin Scott, 10 Freddie Michalak, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Corné Steenkamp, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Corné Fourié.