Super Rugby Team of the Week: Round Two
OPINION: It was a weekend of surprises - the Chiefs, Sharks and Hurricanes all coming away with important wins.
This is also reflected in our weekly selection - the Durban-based Sharks providing four members of @rugbycom's famous starting XV.
They are closely followed by the Chiefs (three starters); while the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Stormers (two each) are next.
The Reds and Blues (one each) make up the numbers.
There is further reward for the Chiefs and Sharks in our back-up squad - with three players from each team bubbling under.
The Blues and Lions follow next (two each) - while the Hurricanes, Jaguares, Bulls, Brumbies and Crusaders (one each) make up the numbers.
Just two players return from last week - flanks Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers) and Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs).
- See our selections below video ...
Team of the Week – Round Two:
15 - Aphelele Fassi (Sharks):
In a very tight contest the youngster showed what a bright future awaits him - 107 from his 11 carries, made seven tackles, won a turnover and scored two tries.
Bubbling under: Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
14 - Sevu Reece (Crusaders):
The flying wing caused havoc in an impressive first half, combining with David Havili for two tries. The Chiefs must regret letting him go.
Bubbling under: Tyrone Green (Lions)
13 - Lukhanyo Am (Sharks):
His organisational skills on defence is what makes him such a great asset to the Durban-based outfit. He also two crucial turnovers.
Bubbling under: Joe Marchant (Blues)
12 - Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes):
While known for his brute force, he showed he has some subtle touches to go with the power - 65 metres gained from eight carries, with four clean breaks, eight defenders beaten and two offloads, the latter an assist for Jamie Booth's match-winning try.
Bubbling under: Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
11 - Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks):
His finishing ability was on display in its full glory - bagging him two tries. Deceptively quick.
Bubbling under: Mark Telea (Blues)
10 - Aaron Cruden (Chiefs):
Having helped the Chiefs to a crucial home victory against the Crusaders, he ensured his name is back in the All Black debate. Just edged Curwin Bosch in a tight contest.
Bubbling under: Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9 - Thomas Perenara (Hurricanes):
Seem to have settled nicely into the leadership role and has some impressive form.
Bubbling under: Brad Weber (Chiefs)
8 - Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Sharks):
The move to the Sharks and a regular starting game has done him the world of good - 50 metres in six carries, six defenders beaten, two clean breaks and made all his tackles.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (Chiefs)
7 - Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers):
One of the key cogs in a very physical Stormers pack. He hasn't changed gears since winning World Player of the Year after the World Cup.
Bubbling under: Marcos Kremer (Jaguares)
6 - Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs):
Key player in the Chiefs' impressive win over the Crusaders. His biggest impact was at the breakdown, where he won five turnovers and also impressed on defence.
Bubbling under: James Venter (Sharks)
5 - Mitchell Brown (Chiefs):
Shifted his large frame across the park with consummate ease. Also took his tackle count well into double digits.
Bubbling under: Marvin Orie (Lions)
4 - Scott Barrett (Crusaders):
As always a very willing ball carrier, solid in the set-pieces and made 14 tackles.
Bubbling under: Ruben van Heerden (Sharks)
3 - Taniela Tupou (Reds):
His yellow card aside, he was monster in the scrums and beast with the ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Trevor Nyakane (Bulls)
2 - Siyabonga Ntubeni (Stormers):
Coach John Dobson's suggestion that they put him on ice is not so far-fetched. Give the youthful; nature of the back-up, his experience and energy are invaluable assets.
Bubbling under: Folau Fainga'a (Brumbies)
1 - Karl Tu'inukuafe (Blues):
Not flawless, but showed his is running into some good form and was good at scrum time.
Bubbling under: Joe Moody (Crusaders)
Our individual selections:
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Sam Cane, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Folau Fainga'a, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Sam Cane, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Warren Fortune XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 James Venter, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Joe Moody.
Leezil Hendricks XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Angus Opperman XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Thomas Perenara, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week – Round One: 15 David Havili (Crusaders), 14 Sibusiso Nkosi (Sharks), 13 Braydon Ennor (Crusaders), 12 Juan Cruz Mallia (Jaguares), 11 Rieko Ioane (Blues), 10 Domingo Miotti (Jaguares), 9 Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), 8 Harry Wilson (Reds), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), 6 Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs), 5 Michael Stolberg (Sunwolves), 4 Darcy Swain (Brumbies), 3 Thomas du Toit (Sharks), 2 Samisini Taukei'aho (Chiefs), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).
@rugby365com