Team of the Week: Hurricane warning
It may have been too little too late, but the Hurricanes certainly contributed to an exciting finish to the Super Rugby competition's league season.
Their 28-25 win over the Chiefs did their compatriots no favours - allowing the Stormers to go top of the standings, but it did earn them a dominant spot in our weekly selection.
There are four Hurricanes in our starting XV, with no other team getting more than two spots.
The Sharks, Lions, Bulls (all two), Blues, Crusaders, Chiefs, Stormers and Cheetahs (all one) make up the numbers.
The table-topping Stormers are rewarded for their efforts with four players in our back-up squad - despite a scrappy win over the lowly Rebels.
The Crusaders, reds (both three), Hurricanes, Western Force, Blues, Chiefs and Brumbies (all one) make up the numbers.
Four players return from last week - fullback Charles Piutau (Blues), wing JP Pietersen (Sharks), flank Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) and lock Luke Romano (Crusaders).
Team of the Week - Round 18:
15 - Charles Piutau (Blues):
His team may have struggled this season, but this a fast, elusive runner is going to be a menace to opposition teams for many years come.
Bubbling under: Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
14 - JP Pietersen (Sharks):
He was a key element in the Sharks' second-half revival, especially his high workrate.
Bubbling under: Gio Aplon (Stormers)
13 - Conrad Smith (Hurricanes):
The All Black stalwart again showed his class ... a cut above the rest.
Bubbling under: Juan de Jongh (Stormers)
12 - Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs):
He has always had special skills and has matured as a Rugby Union player this season. He'll be a big hit in Japan now that the circus moves on.
Bubbling under: Mike Harris (Reds)
11 - Julian Savea (Hurricanes):
You can see why some pundits like to compare him to the great Jonah Lomu. And he will get better with time.
Bubbling under: Napolioni Nalaga (Western Force)
10 - Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes):
Showed why he was part of the All Black squad this year and even though his debut was off the bench, he is likely to start pushing for a starting spot if he continues with his current form.
Bubbling under: Dan Carter (Crusaders)
9 - Francois Hougaard (Bulls):
He is beginning to regain the form that made him such a hit at the World Cup last year, while those box kicks are also far more effective.
Bubbling under: Will Genia (Reds)
8 - Deon Fourie (Stormers):
A hooker, playing at No.8 and performing like and openside flank. Don't forget his line-out take...
Bubbling under: Scott Higginbotham (Reds)
7 - Marcell Coetzee (Sharks):
His rapid rise up the loose forward rankings is continuing.
Bubbling under: Matt Todd (Crusaders)
6 - Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs):
His influence in the first half, before being replaced by injury at half-time, was why the Cheetahs held a nine-point lead. His absence gave the Sharks the freedom they required and showed exactly how important he is to the Cheetahs' cause.
Bubbling under: Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
5 - Juandre Kruger (Bulls):
He provides so much more than just being a line-out leader - with ball in hand and at the breakdown he is a key factor for the Bulls.
Bubbling under: Andries Bekker (Stormers)
4 - Luke Romano (Crusaders):
He is going to be an establishment in New Zealand's black for years to come - the new rock of the pack.
Bubbling under: Liaki Moli (Blues)
3 - Jacobie Adriaanse (Lions):
He has grown in stature this year, one of several former Stellenbosch players in a Lions team that made the Bulls work hard for their money.
Bubbling under: Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs)
2 - Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
The livewire hooker is probably not as abrasive as some of his rivals, but his workrate more than makes up for whatever he may lack in the physical exchanges.
Bubbling under: Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1 - JC Janse van Rensburg (Lions):
He seriously dented a Springbok's reputation and enhanced his own. He certainly won't disgrace the national team.
Bubbling under: Reg Goodes (Hurricanes)
Our individual selections
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Jandré Kruger, 3 WP Nel, 2 Dane Coles, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Len Kaplan XV: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 François Hougaard, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Dane Coles, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Tim Hancox XV: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Dane Coles, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Dane Coles, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Dane Coles, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Previous selections:
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).