South African franchises dominate URC Elite XV
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bulls and Stormers dominated the United Rugby Championship Team of the season, providing the biggest contingent with three apiece in the Elite XV.
Seven different teams are represented in the Elite XV of the season.
The league’s top try scorer Evan Roos (12) and top points scorer Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (158) are both recognised for their efforts, along with their Stormers teammate Ntuthuko Mchunu.
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For the Bulls of Pretoria, scrumhalf Embrose Papier and hooker Johann Grobbelaar – who touched down nine and eight times respectively – are joined by second row Cobus Wiese.
As for the Lions, their achievement in reaching the play-offs for the first time and also winning the South African Shield is recognised by the inclusion of flanker Ruan Venter and full-back Quan Horn, with Horn having played every single minute of the regular season to pick up the Ironman award for the second time.
Meanwhile, Ulster, Connacht and Glasgow Warriors also have two players on board.
Ireland star Stuart McCloskey has been chosen at inside centre after an outstanding season for both club and country, while his Ulster teammate and South African Werner Kok is rewarded for his ten tries with a wing spot.
Connacht provide hard-grafting forwards Cian Prendergast and Darragh Murray, while there are two Glasgow backs selected in Kyle Rowe and Stafford McDowall, with elusive winger Rowe having beaten 52 defenders, made 21 clean breaks and run for 783 metres in his 13 league outings.
The team is completed by Leinster Rugby’s Thomas Clarkson packing down at tighthead prop.
Elite XV Team
1. Ntuthuko Mchunu, Stormers
2. Johann Grobbelaar, Bulls
3. Thomas Clarkson, Leinster
4. Darragh Murray, Connacht
5. Cobus Wiese, Bulls
6. Cian Prendergast, Connacht
7. Ruan Venter, Lions
8. Evan Roos, Stormers
9. Embrose Papier, Bulls
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Stormers
11. Kyle Rowe, Glasgow Warriors
12. Stuart McCloskey, Ulster
13. Stafford McDowall, Glasgow Warriors
14. Werner Kok, Ulster
15. Quan Horn, Lions