Isaia Does It: Toeava in action for the Blues
The tournament has come and gone and now we have a South African Super Rugby champion for the first time in 14 years. That is why our team of the tournament is so bullish, because it was a bullish tournament with a bullish finish.
Having dominated the latter stages of the tournament and also winning the Final, albeit with a try in the dying seconds, the Bulls provides the bulk of our team.
We have five Bulls in our starting XV and another three 'bubbling under' - our back-up squad.
The Sharks, the losing finalists, are also well represented. They have two staring members and another four bubbling under.
The rest of our starting XV is made up from the losing semi-finalists, Crusaders and Blues, who have two each, while the Brumbies, Western Force, Highlanders and Lions make up the numbers with one member each.
We didn't name an official captain, but it would be between John Smit (Sharks) and Victor Matfield (Bulls), who both made our starting XV.
Here's our selection!
Team of the tournament:
15 - Julian Huxley (Brumbies):
Huxley played in a number of positions for the Brumbies and did not let his team down once. However, he really came to the fore when he moved to fullback. Drew Mitchell, Percy Montgomery, Scott Hamilton and Francois Steyn had their moments (or matches), but Huxley was simply the most consistent.
Bubbling under: Percy Montgomery (Sharks)
14 - Doug Howlett (Blues):
There is a good reason why he is back in the All Black team and it has a lot to do with his Super 14 season. Then, of course, you can ask Earl Rose about Doug Howlett if you wish! Lelia Masaga also had a good campaign and Rico Gear had his moments.
Bubbling under: Lelia Masaga (Chiefs)
13 - Isaia Toeava (Blues):
Much of the Blues' success this season had to do with his ability to break the line and set up opportunities or create space for others. Tana Umaga and Jaque Fourie did well in the early stages of the season and Waylon Murray came to the fore in the latter stages.
Bubbling under: Waylon Murray (Sharks)
12 - Matt Giteau (Western Force):
Few would doubt that Giteau was the most impressive inside-centre on show, even though he played a fly-half quite often as well. Several players had good games, but other than Giteau the most outstanding was Luke McAlister.
Bubbling under: Luke McAlister (Blues)
11 - Bryan Habana (Bulls):
Without doubt the form left wing in the tournament and very few will argue with the statement that this is his best season ever. Not to mention that he scored the tournament-winning try. Apart from Habana the most consistent of the left wingers was Roy Kinikinilau.
Bubbling under: Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs)
10 - Stephen Brett (Crusaders):
With the All Blacks out for the first half of the season there were opportunities for others to make their mark. Brett showed that neither the Crusaders, nor the All Blacks, need to worry to worry about the future - there is a ready-made successor at number 10. Dan Carter, after he came back from the reconditioning camp, Stephen Larkham and Derick Hougaard (especially in the latter stages) were also outstanding.
Bubbling under: Derick Hougaard (Bulls)
9 - Fourie du Preez (Bulls):
There are suggestions that Du Preez is now the world's premier number nine and few would argue with such a statement had they watched him throughout the tournament. Ruan Pienaar, Brendon Leonard and Heinie Adams (in the coupler of weeks that Du Preez was out injured) also left their marks on the tournament.
Bubbling under: Brendon Leonard (Chiefs)
8 - Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders):
Often you look at a national team and wonder why certain players don't make it, considering the form they displayed all season. Tuiali'i is just such a person. John Roe and Sione Lauaki also impressed.
Bubbling under: John Roe (Reds)
7 - Wikus van Heerden (Bulls):
You would often see him leave the field at some stage bleeding, then returning heavily bandaged. It is a sign that he is involved in some heavy contact. But it is the way that he adapted to the openside role that really impressed us. He could be invaluable to the Springboks this year. George Smith, Daniel Braid and Schalk Burger also made huge impressions.
Bubbling under: George Smith (Brumbies)
6 - Jacques Botes (Sharks):
While the Luke Watson saga was raging in South Africa last week, one name constantly popped up: Jacques Botes. Every time the self-imposed presidential selection committee of SA Rugby (Oregan Hoskins, Mike Stofile and Koos Basson) tried to justify why they want Watson there, the counter argument would be Botes's form. Also impressive on the blindside were Steven Bates and Jerome Kaino.
Bubbling under: Steven Bates (Chiefs)
5 - Victor Matfield (Bulls):
Few would argue with this choice - as player, captain and above all line-out king-pin. But there was some tough competition from Troy Flavell.
Bubbling under: Troy Flavell (Blues)
4 - Bakkies Botha (Bulls):
It has as much to do with his physical presence as his all-round work-rate. Then, of course, there is also his partnership with Matfield. Greg Rawlinson and Johan Ackermann showed their class as well.
Bubbling under: Johan Ackermann (Sharks)
3 - Carl Hayman (Highlanders):
Few realise what a loss he will be to New Zealand, Highlanders and Otago rugby. But they will come to realise this next year when he takes up his contract with Newcastle Falcons. BJ Botha certainly was right up there with the best.
Bubbling under: BJ Botha (Sharks)
2 - John Smit (Sharks):
Without doubt the Sharks and Springbok captain's best season ever. He has showed exactly why he is so highly rated as a player and leader. But Gary Botha certainly gave Smit a good run for his money.
Bubbling under: Gary Botha (Bulls)
1 - Heinke van der Merwe (Lions):
This young man, who is just 21, has a huge future ahead of him if he continues to improve like he did this year. South Africa has some good props and he is right up there with the best. Gurthro Steenkamp and Tony Woodcock also made their marks.
Bubbling under: Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls)
Our weekly selections:
Team of the Week Round One: 15 Clinton Schifcofske (Reds), 14 Louis Ludik (Lions), 13 Marius Joubert (Cheetahs), 12 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 11 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 10 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 9 Falie Oelschig (Cheetahs), 8 Steven Bates (Chiefs), 7 Josh Blackie (Highlanders), 6 Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Greg Rawlinson (Blues), 3 CJ van der Linde (Cheetahs), 2 Gary Botha (Bulls), 1 Ollie le Roux (Cheetahs)
Team of the Week Round Two: 15 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 14 Hosea Gear (Hurricanes), 13 Tana Umaga (Hurricanes), 12 Luke McAlister (Blues), 11 Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs), 10 Butch James (Sharks), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Juan Smith (Cheetahs), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Danie Rossouw (Bulls), 3 Campbell Johnstone (Crusaders), 2 Gary Botha (Bulls), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week Round Three: 15 Percy Montgomery (Sharks), 14 Philip Burger (Cheetahs), 13 Tana Umaga (Hurricanes), 12 Junior Pelesasa (Western Force), 11 Cameron Shepherd (Western Force), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), 8 Willem Alberts (Lions), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Steven Bates (Chiefs), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Cobus Grobler (Lions), 3 Brian Mujati (Lions), 2 Gary Botha (Bulls), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week Round Five: 15 Scott Hamilton (Crusaders), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 De Wet Barry (Stormers), 11 Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs), 10 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 9 Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls).
Team of the Week Round Six: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Doug Howlett (Blues), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Bradley Barritt (Sharks), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Nick Evans (Highlanders), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Nick Williams (Blues), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week Round Seven: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Rico Gear (Crusaders), 13 Ronnie Cooke (Cheetahs), 12 Tim Bateman (Crusaders), 11 Cameron Shepherd (Western Force), 10 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 9 Chris O'Young (Western Force), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Marty Holah (Chiefs), 6 Juan Smith (Cheetahs), 5 Corniel van Zyl (Cheetahs), 4 Michael Paterson (Crusaders), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Corey Flynn (Crusaders), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week Round Eight: 15 Corey Jane (Hurricanes), 14 Rico Gear (Crusaders), 13 Jaque Fourie (Lions), 12 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 11 Scott Hamilton (Crusaders), 10 Dan Carter (Crusaders), 9 Enrico Januarie (Lions), 8 John Roe (Reds), 7 Daniel Braid (Blues), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Ethienne Reynecke (Lions), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week Round Nine: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Doug Howlett (Blues), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 11 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs), 10 Sam Norton-Knight (Waratahs), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Jason Eaton (Hurricanes), 4 Greg Rawlinson (Blues), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week Round 10: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Doug Howlett (Blues), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Sam Tuitupou (Blues), 11 JP Pietersen (Sharks), 10 Stephen Larkham (Brumbies), 9 George Gregan (Brumbies), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 6 Jone Tawake (Brumbies), 5 Ross Filipo (Crusaders), 4 AJ Venter (Sharks), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Tom Willis (Chiefs), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week Round 11: 15 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 14 Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Aaron Mauger (Crusaders), 11 Roy Kinikinilau (Chiefs), 10 Dan Carter (Crusaders), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Bobby Skinstad (Sharks), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Deon Carstens (Sharks).
Team of the Week Round 12: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 12 Wynand Olivier (Bulls), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 6 Luke Watson (Stormers), 5 Ross Skeate (Stormers), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Anton Oliver (Highlanders), 1 Clarke Dermody (Highlanders).
Team of the Week Round 13: 15 Julian Huxley (Brumbies), 14 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs), 13 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), 12 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Stephen Larkham (Brumbies), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Jacques Botes (Sharks), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Johan Ackermann (Sharks), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week Round 14: 15 Johan Roets (Bulls), 14 Lachlan Turner (Waratahs), 13 Waylon Murray (Sharks), 12 Luke McAlister (Blues), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Derick Hougaard (Bulls), 9 Heinie Adams (Bulls), 8 Sione Lauaki (Chiefs), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Dean Mumm (Waratahs), 3 Carl Hayman (Highlanders), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week semi-finals: 15 Percy Montgomery (Sharks), 14 Akona Ndungane (Bulls), 13 Waylon Murray (Sharks), 12 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Derick Hougaard (Bulls), 9 Heini Adams (Bulls), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Daniel Braid (Blues), 6 Jacques Botes (Sharks), 5 Victor Matfield (Bulls), 4 Johan Ackermann (Sharks), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp (Bulls).
Planet Rugby
*Disclaimer - Views expressed within this story are not necessarily the views of this Blog
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