Team of the Week: Winners rewarded

It was again slim pickings for our weekly Super Rugby selection, as we only had four teams from the semifinals.

But the winners were richly rewarded and deservedly dominate both the starting XV and back-up squad.

The New Zealand champions, the Chiefs, have six members in our starting XV, followed closely by South Africa's best team, the Sharks, with five.

The Stormers and Crusaders, with two each, make up the numbers.

The Sharks have seven members in our back-up squad, followed by five Chiefs, two Stormers and one Crusader.

Five players return from last week – JP Pietersen (Sharks), who was selected as a wing last week and outside centre this week, No.8 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), flank Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), lock Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders) and hooker Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks).

Team of the Week – Semifinals:

15 – Robbie Robinson (Chiefs):

He may have had a few bad days at the office this year, but when it mattered most he was on top of his game.

Bubbling under: Riaan Viljoen (Sharks)

14 – Louis Ludik (Sharks):

He has been in sublime form at fullback in recent weeks and carried that onto the wing – even defending at centre at times. And his defence was outstanding.

Bubbling under: Gio Aplon (Stormers)

13 – JP Pietersen (Sharks):

That try was a classic piece of outside centre play, but the Springbok wing produced so much more in the midfield.

Bubbling under: Andrew Horrell (Chiefs)

12 – Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs):

He will be missed when he eventually leaves New Zealand. His skill and vision in crucial moments are invaluable.

Bubbling under: Jean de Villiers (Stormers)

11 – Bryan Habana (Stormers):

He has regained his form, but it was his high workrate in a losing cause that really impressed.

Bubbling under: Zac Guilford (Crusaders)

10 – Frederic Michalak (Sharks):

It was a close call, but the French flyhalf eventually  won the vote because of his sublime display in Cape Town. He will again be one of the key players in the Final.

Bubbling under: Aaron Cruden (Chiefs)

9 – Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs):

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said last week he was one of his team's biggest threats and he produced another performance that will put him in the All Black selection frame.

Bubbling under: Charl McLeod (Sharks)

8 – Richie McCaw (Crusaders):

Showed his class again.

Bubbling under: Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)

7 – Marcell Coetzee (Sharks):

He must be close to being South Africa's premier loose forward at present … in his first full year of Super Rugby. You can see why he is a first-choice for the Bok team.

Bubbling under: Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs)

6 – Liam Messam (Chiefs):

He was a real menace to the Crusaders and will be vital to the Chiefs' cause in the Final.

Bubbling under: Keegan Daniel  (Sharks)

5 – Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders):

It was the position we most debated it and he won on a majority vote.

Bubbling under: Anton Bresler (Sharks)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (Stormers):

His return showed what the Stormers had missed since he was injured in June. That hit on Bismarck du Plessis was brutal and typical of what he brings to the game.

Bubbling under: Craig Clarke (Chiefs)

3 – Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs):

This young man has been a revelation this season and could be a great asset to the All Blacks if he continues to improve.

Bubbling under: Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)

2 – Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks):

To get up from that hit by Eben Etzebeth and make the contribution he did shows what he is made of.

Bubbling under: Mahonri Schwalger (Chiefs)

1 – Sona Taumalolo (Chiefs):

He scored his customary try and his energy is just so refreshing.

Bubbling under: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)

Our individual selections

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14  Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Len Kaplan XV: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Sona Taumalolo.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Sona Taumalolo.

Previous selections:

Team of the Week, Play-offs Round One: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 JP Pietersen (Sharks), 13 Paul Jordaan (Sharks), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Digby Ioane (Reds), 10 Dan Carter (Crusaders), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 8 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 7 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 6 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week, Round 18: 15 Charles Piutau (Blues), 14 JP Pietersen (Sharks), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Deon Fourie (Stormers), 7 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 6 Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), 5 Juandre Kruger (Bulls), 4 Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 Jacobie Adriaanse (Lions), 2 Dane Coles (Hurricanes), 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (Lions).

Team of the Week, Round 17: 15 Charles Piutau (Blues), 14 JP Pietersen (Sharks), 13 Tim Whitehead (Sharks), 12 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 11 Napolioni Nalaga (Western Force), 10 Dan Carter (Crusaders), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 6 Derrick Minnie (Lions), 5 Kane Douglas (Waratahs), 4 Luke Romano (Crusaders), 3 Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Sona Taumalolo (Chiefs).

Team of the Week, Round 16: 15 Robbie Robinson (Chiefs), 14 Nick Cummins (Western Force), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Hosea Gear (Highlanders), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Jacques Potgieter (Bulls), 6 Liam Messam (Chiefs), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Rob Simmons (Reds), 3 Ben May (Hurricanes), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders).

Team of the Week, Round 15: 15 Israel Dagg (Crusaders), 14 Rene Ranger (Blues),  13 Francis Saili (Blues),  12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs),  11 Zac Guildford (Crusaders),  10 Dan Carter (Crusaders),  9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders),  8 Victor Vito (Hurricanes),  7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders),  6 Siya Kolisi (Stormers),  5 Franco van der Merwe (Lions),  4 Scott Fardy (Brumbies),  3 Pat Cilliers (Lions),  2 Quentin MacDonald (Crusaders),  1 Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders).

Team of the Week, Round 14: 15 Andre Taylor (Hurricanes), 14 Alapati Leiua (Hurricanes), 13 Tamati Ellison (Highlanders), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 10 Frederick Michalak (Sharks), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 7 Willem Alberts (Sharks), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 WP Nel (Cheetahs), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week, Round 13: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Adam Whitelock (Crusaders), 13 Paul Jordaan (Sharks), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks), 10 Frederic Michalak (Sharks), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Michael Hooper (Brumbies), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 James Horwill (Reds), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs).

Team of the Week, Round 12: 15 Luke Morahan (Reds), 14 Mark Gerrard (Rebels), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10 Kurtley Beale (Rebels), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Liam Gill (Reds), 6 Luke Braid (Blues), 5 Juandre Kruger (Bulls), 4 Rob Simmons (Reds), 3 Werner Kruger (Bulls), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week, Round 11: 15 Andre Taylor (Hurricanes), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Andries Strauss (Cheetahs), 11 Digby Ioane (Reds), 10 Morné Steyn (Bulls), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Michael Hooper (Brumbies), 6 CJ Stander (Bulls), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Craig Clarke (Chiefs), 3 Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs).

Team of the Week, Round 10: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Henry Speight (Brumbies), 13 Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), 12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs), 11 Joe Tomane (Brumbies), 10 Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7 Michael Hooper (Brumbies), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Dean Mumm (Waratahs), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Hika Elliot (Chiefs), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).

Team of the Week, Round Nine: 15 Jesse Mogg (Brumbies), 14 Henry Speight (Brumbies), 13 Andrew Smith (Brumbies), 12 Juan de Jongh (Stormers), 11 Hosea Gear (Highlanders), 10 Peter Grant (Stormers), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7 Sam Cane (Chiefs), 6 CJ Stander (Bulls), 5 De Kock Steenkamp (Stormers), 4 Josh Bekhuis (Highlanders), 3 Ben Franks (Crusaders), 2 Mahonri Schwalger (Chiefs), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week, Round Eight: 15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs), 12 Pat McCabe (Brumbies), 11 Bryan Habana (Stormers), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 7 Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 CJ Stander (Bulls), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Scott Fardy (Brumbies), 3 Charlie Faumuina (Blues), 2 Craig Burden (Sharks), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).

Team of the Week, Round Seven: 15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Robert Ebersohn (Cheetahs), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Bryan Habana (Stormers), 10 Morné Steyn (Bulls), 9 Francois Hougaard (Bulls), 8 Scott Higginbotham (Reds), 7 Karl Lowe (Hurricanes), 6 Siya Kolisi (Stormers), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 WP Nel (Cheetahs), 2 Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week, Round Six: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 13 Richard Kahui (Chiefs), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Zac Guildford (Crusaders), 10 Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Kane Thompson (Chiefs), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 WP Nel (Cheetahs), 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen (Cheetahs).

Team of the Week, Round Five: 15 Andre Taylor (Hurricanes), 14 Mark Gerrard (Rebels), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Wynand Olivier (Bulls), 11 Bryan Habana (Stormers), 10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), 9 Andy Ellis (Crusaders), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Jacques Potgieter (Bulls), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Patric Cilliers (Lions), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Dean Greyling (Bulls).

Team of the Week, Round Four: 15 Riaan Viljoen (Sharks), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Tamati Ellison (Highlanders), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 10 James O'Connor (Rebels), 9 Charl McLeod (Sharks), 8 Victor Vito (Hurricanes), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).

Team of the Week, Round Three: 15 Robbie Robinson (Chiefs), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Tim Whitehead (Sharks), 11 Willie le Roux (Cheetahs), 10 Gareth Anscombe (Blues), 9 TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 4 Anthony Boric (Blues), 3 Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs); 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Arizona Taumalolo (Chiefs).

Team of the Week, Round Two: 15 Robbie Robinson (Chiefs), 14 Cory Jane (Hurricanes), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Phil Burleigh (Highlanders), 11 Hosea Gear (Highlanders), 10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9 Will Genia (Reds), 8 Nasi Manu (Highlanders), 7 John Hardie (Highlanders), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Chris King (Highlanders), 2 Andrew Hore (Highlanders), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week, Round One: 15 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Robbie Fruean (Crusaders), 12 Tim Bateman (Hurricanes), 11 Gio Aplon (Stormers), 10 Elton Jantjies (Lions), 9 Sarel Pretorius (Waratahs), 8 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 7 Derick Minnie (Lions), 6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders), 5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls), 4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers), 3 Werner Kruger (Bulls), 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), 1 Benn Robinson (Waratahs).