It was a very difficult selection meeting this week, with several positions causing endless debate. In one case we had to go for a tie-breaker.

The Bulls, back from their mid-season break and on tour in New Zealand, started with an impressive win against the Hurricanes. They were duly rewarded with four selections in our team.

The Lions, a great win after a week of turmoil, bounced back with a great win and along with the very impressive Highlanders have three members each in our team.

The Crusaders (what a win?) with two, the Sharks, Chiefs and Western Force (one each) make up the numbers.

Only two players return from last week — Matt Giteau (Western Force) and Clint Newland (Highlanders).

Team of the Week — Round Six:

15 — Stefan Terblanche (Sharks):
He is certainly sending some strong reminders to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers that, despite his age, he remains world class. Not a bad back-up for incumbent Bok number 15 Conrad Jantjes.

14 — Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs):
Yes, he did play on the left wing, but we had to find place for two quality left wings and we decided he'll do a fine job on the right as well. Lelia Masaga did put forward a compelling argument as well.

13 — Jaque Fourie (Lions):
Like Schalk Burger is the spark that lights up the Stormers, so is Jaque Fourie the steadying influence in a Lions backline that had all the potential to once again implode.

12 — Wynand Olivier (Bulls):
Another forgotten international that is reminding the Bok coach, De Villiers, that he is desperate to play against the British and Irish Lions. Again, not a bad back-up to incumbent Bok number 12 Jean de Villiers.

11 — Colin Slade (Crusaders):
This was one of the most fiercely debated selections of the season. In the end Slade won our vote because he showed his class with a Stirling performance in the number 11 jersey, despite having been move to the left wing from flyhalf only a fortnight ago.

10 — Matt Giteau (Western Force):
This position also caused some debate, and Morné Steyn did make some very loud noises about his selection prospects, but in the end Giteau won the vote count.

9 — Fourie du Preez (Bulls):
There are many world class number nines who will dispute this, and provide compelling arguments — but we feel that Du Preez is without doubt the form scrumhalf in the world. His value to his team can't be disputed.

8 — George Naoupu (Highlanders):
The Cheetahs must still be wondering what hit them. Let us tell you: It was 105kg human wrecking ball from Hawke's Bay that, before this year, had only played one Super Rugby match. However, the 25-year-old number eight is going to be around for a while and other teams may well take notice of the name.

7 — Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions):
Of course he played with a number six on his back, but in South Africa that is the number that openside flanks wear and we are justified in naming him as our 'fetcher'.

6 — Kieran Read (Crusaders):
What a phenomenal stand-in for Richie McCaw. He has showed just why he was so highly rated in New Zealand's domestic competition last year. It is worth remember this is Read's first Super Rugby season.

5 — Danie Rossouw (Bulls):
The Bulls must be the envy of all teams around the world. They loose the planet's top line-out jumper and bring in a player of Rossouw's calibre. He has hardly missed a beat this year. Bring on the Lions.

4 — Bakkies Botha (Bulls):
Isn't he enjoying his rugby at the moment? He had such an enormous impact and still found time to have a few friendly chats with the opposition. Obviously they didn't find it as pleasant as he did, but Botha is the team's enforcer.

3 — Clint Newland (Highlanders):
They must be feeding them something special on the South Island in New Zealand. Where do the Highlanders find all these man-mountain props? Good player.

2 — Willie Wepener (Lions):
This was another of those debates in which several players made strong statements. We certainly had a tough time and eventually went for the tie-breaker - the player from the winning team.

1 — Chris King (Highlanders):
As we said, they must be feeding their props some special meals on the South Island.

Our individual selections:

Ebrahim Moerat XV: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Brendan Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 George Smith, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Chris King.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Cobus Grobbelaar, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Chris King.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Colin Slade, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Cobus Grobbelaar, 6 Kieran Read, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Gürthro Steenkamp.

Previous selections:

Team of the Week — Round One: 15 Stefan Terblanche (Sharks), 14 Digby Ioane (Reds), 13 Rob Horne (Waratahs), 12 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), 11 Henno Mentz (Lions), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Juan Smith (Cheetahs), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (Lions), 5 David de Villiers (Cheetahs), 4 Adriaan Fondse (Stormers), 3 Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), 2 John Smit (Sharks), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week — Round Two: 15 Zane Kirchner (Bulls), 14 Rene Ranger (Blues), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Morne Steyn (Bulls), 9 Rory Kockott (Sharks), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Neemia Tialata (Hurricanes), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).

Team of the Week — Round Three: 15 Zane Kirchner (Bulls), 14 Cameron Shepherd (Western Force), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Peter Hynes (Reds), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Justin Collins (Blues), 5 Hugh McMeniman (Reds), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Willie Wepener (Lions), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).

Team of the Week — Round Four: 15 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Adi Jacobs (Sharks), 12 Wynand Olivier (Bulls), 11 Hosea Gear (Hurricanes), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Pierre Spies (Bulls), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Duane Vermeulen (Stormers), 5 Jason Eaton (Hurricanes), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), 2 Aled de Malmanche (Chiefs), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).

Team of the Week — Round Five: 15 Mark Gerrard (Brumbies), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 12 Berrick Barnes (Reds), 11 Peter Hynes (Reds), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Leroy Houston (Reds), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Ali Williams (Blues), 3 Clint Newland (Highlanders), 2 Stephen Moore (Brumbies), 1 Ben Daley (Reds).

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