Team of the Week: The Cape of storms

After their 37-20 win over the Blues, the Stormers have five players in our XV.

Other teams represented this week include the Chiefs, Waratahs, Reds, Bulls, Sunwolves, Melbourne Rebels and the Crusaders.

In the backline, we have Damian McKenzie at fullback and Israel Folau and Hosea Saumaki on the wings.

The midfield consists of Jesse Kriel and Samu Kerevi.

Damian Willemse is our flyhalf once again and his teammate Dewald Duvenage is our No.9.

In the pack, Amanaki Mafi is our pick at No.8 and Stormers' duo Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siyamthanda Kolisi is the two flanks this week.

The second row consists of Scott Barrett and Brodie Retallick, while in the front row we have Taniela Tupou, Codie Taylor and Steven Kitshoff.

Team of the Week - Round Five:

15 - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

He helped lead the fightback against the Bulls in the second half with his sniping runs and stepping.

Bubbling under: Dillyn Leyds (Stormers)

14 - Israel Folau (Waratahs)

He was outstanding in the aerial battle against the Melbourne Rebels. The Rebels back three could not cope with him under the high ball.

Bubbling under: Jack Maddocks (Melbourne Rebels)

13 - Jesse Kriel (Bulls)

The Springbok centre had a hand in a few of his team's tries against the Chiefs and he just lookeded dangerous everytime he had the ball. 

Bubbling under: Rob Thompson (Highlanders)

 

12 - Samu Kerevi (Reds)

He seemed unstoppable on occasions against the Jaguares. He always got his team over the gain-line with his sheer power.

Bubbling under: Damian de Allende (Stormers)

11 - Hosea Saumaki (Sunwolves)

The Lions seemed to be chasing shadows when he was running at them. He was involved in some excellent attacking play and he got a five-pointer as well.

Bubbling under: George Bridge (Crusaders)

10 - Damian Willemse (Stormers)

It was another eye-catching performance by the youngster. He was a handful on attack and he showed that he is not afraid to do some dirty work on the ground as well.

Bubbling under: Bernard Foley (Waratahs)

9 - Dewald Duvenage (Stormers)

The Stormers completely outplayed the Blues for large periods and Dewald Duvenage was largely responsible for that with his quick and slick service.

Bubbling under: Will Genia (Reds)

8 - Amanaki Mafi (Melbourne Rebels)

It was another powerful performance by the big man. He bulldozed his way through the Waratahs' defence on few occasions.

Bubbling under: Caleb Timu (Reds)

7 - Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)

The Springbok was all over the park against the Blues. He crashed through a number of Blues' defenders and showed some great pace with ball in hand. He was also aggressive on defence.

Bubbling under: Francois Mostert (Lions)

6 - Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers)

He bullied the Blues with some bone-crunching tackles and some powerful carries. He certainly led by example.

Bubbling under: Elliot Dixon (Highlanders)

5 - Scott Barrett (Crusaders)

He put in an unbelievable amount of work against the Highlanders. He was a constant presence on defence and got in the thick of things in the tight loose.

Bubbling under: Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls)

4 - Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)

When his team were down against the Bulls, he lifted his game to another level. He was awesome around the field and scored two tries in the win.

Bubbling under: Jan de Klerk (Stormers)

3 - Taniela Tupou (Reds)

Another solid performance in the scrums, but once again it was his work rate in open play that caught the eye. 

Bubbling under: Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders)

2 - Codie Taylor (Crusaders)

This guy was at another level this weekend against the Highlanders. He made some barnstorming runs with ball in hand and his amazing skill level was on display for all to see.

Bubbling under: Malcolm Marx (Lions)

1 - Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)

His work rate was amazing once again. He made a number of carries against the Blues and he was a tough customer to handle. He racked up the running metres and never missed a tackle.

Bubbling under: James Slipper (Reds)

Our individual selections:

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 George Bridge, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 James Slipper.

Warren Fortune XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Damian Willemse, Dewald Duvenage, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Previous selections:

Team of the Week - Round Four: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 12 Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), 11 Melani Nanai (Blues), 10 Damian Willemse (Stormers), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Akira Ioane (Blues), 7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), 6 Pablo Matera (Jaguares), 5 Lodewyk de Jager (Bulls), 4 Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes), 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues), 2 Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week - Round Three: 15 David Havili (Crusaders), 14 Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 13 Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), 12 Handré Pollard (Bulls), 11 George Bridge (Crusaders), 10 Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders), 9 Brad Weber (Chiefs), 8 Warren Whiteley (Lions), 7 Billy Harmon (Crusaders), 6 Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 Adam Coleman (Melbourne Rebels), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Wilco Louw (Stormers), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).

Teams of the Week - Round Two: 15 Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14 Sylvian Mahuza (Lions), 13 Rob Thompson (Highlanders), 12 Ryan Crotty (Crusaders), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions), 10 Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), 7 Pieter Labuschagne (Sunwolves), 6 Roelof Smit (Bulls), 5 Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders), 4 Rudolph Snyman (Bulls), 3 Ruan Dreyer (Lions), 2 James Parsons (Blues), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Team of the Week - Round One: 15 Dillyn Leyds (Stormers), 14 Seabelo Senatla (Stormers), 13 Lionel Mapoe (Lions), 12 Damian de Allende (Stormers), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions), 10 Robert du Preez (Sharks), 9 Ross Cronje (Lions), 8 Nizaam Carr (Stormers), 7 Cyle Brink (Lions), 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (Stormers), 5 John Schickerling (Stormers), 4 Ruan Botha (Sharks), 3 Nahuel Tétaz Chaparro (Jaguares), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Jacques van Rooyen (Lions).

@rugby365com