CRAIG LEWIS picks a South African XV based on performances in the 17th round of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.



Just one round remains in the Super Rugby pool stages. Without the usual June international break in a World Cup year, the competition has rather flown by.

The sad reality from a local perspective is the fact that the Jaguares have already sewn up top spot in the South African conference, but there will still be plenty to play for when the sides head into the final round of action.

After the Vodacom Bulls’ draw against the Highlanders on Friday, they are now in fifth place on the overall standings, while they are followed closely by the Lions and Stormers.

The Stormers did what was required of them as they proved far too strong for the Sunwolves on Saturday, with Jaco Coetzee particularly impressing with a Man of the Match performance. The loose forward finished with two tries, and also made 72m, 10 carries, while beating five defenders and winning two turnovers.

For the Bulls, the likes of Divan Rossouw, Burger Odendaal and Ruan Steenkamp (15 tackles) produced industrious efforts, while Schalk Brits was also an omnipresent figure across the park.

Although the Lions will ultimately be disappointed by the nature of their 37-17 defeat to the Jaguares, the statistics reveal Aphiwe Dyantyi’s influence with two tries, 111m made and five clean breaks, while Vincent Tshituka and Carlu Sadie impressed among the forwards.

And finally, while the Sharks didn’t have much joy in Buenos Aires, Makazole Mapimpi and Dan du Preez continue to bang loudly on that Springbok door, but are unable to force their way into this selection.

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 17)

15. Divan Rossouw (Bulls)

14. Courtnall Skosan (Lions)

13. JJ Engelbrecht (Stormers)

12. Burger Odendaal (Bulls)

11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)

10. Handre Pollard (Bulls)

9. Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)

8. Jaco Coetzee (Stormers)

7. Johan du Toit (Stormers)

6. Ruan Steenkamp (Bulls)

5. RG Snyman (Bulls)

4. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)

3. Carlu Sadie (Lions)

2. Schalk Brits (Bulls)

1. Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 16)

15. Andries Coetzee (Lions)

14. S’bu Nkosi (Sharks)

13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)

12. Harold Vorster (Lions)

11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)

10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)

9. Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)

8. Kwagga Smith (Lions)

7. Vincent Tshituka (Lions)

6. Marco van Staden (Bulls)

5. RG Snyman (Bulls)

4. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)

3. Carlu Sadie (Lions)

2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)

1. Dylan Smith (Lions)

Photo: EPA/Nic Bothma