After a week of voting the iafrica.com readers have selected their Tri-Nations Player of the Tournament and the end result was never even in question with the winner taking 58 percent of the votes.

Last week we asked iafrica.com readers to select their Tri-Nations Player of the Tournament and, after some manic voting, it was clear that most of you were on the same page as to which player deserved the honour.

From the very beginning Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez dominated the votes with his closest competitor ? Bok skipper John Smit ? landing a meager 20 percent in comparison to Du Preez?s 58.

Below we list the top contenders for the award:

WINNER: Fourie du Preez

Undoubtedly the Springbok scrumhalf was the Player of the Tournament. His play behind the back of the scrum was exceptional ? regardless of how the Bok pack was performing. Du Preez was the general of the side, dictating play with his clear and decisive decision-making. The Bulls star is the complete package, arguably the most talented player of his generation, and a shoe-in (one would hope) for the IRB Player of the Year Award later this year.

John Smit

Smit had his fair share of critics this season, but we were not among them ? neither apparently were our readers. Admittedly he had some struggles at scrum-time but, when you consider this was his first full season as an international prop, that should probably have been expected. In fact his considerable improvement in such a short time is another big bonus for the Boks. Smit?s real worth, however, comes from his leadership and on that front he is unrivalled.

Victor Matfield

The line-out lynchpin continues to cement his spot at the world?s best line-out jumper after dominating all-comers in the Tri-Nations. Matfield was so ominous at the set-pieces that the All Blacks and Wallabies were forced to take quick line-outs or avoid them completely! His ability to read opposition calls is becoming creepy while, on his own throw, he is close to unbeatable.

Morne Steyn

The young Bulls flyhalf has settled into Test rugby quite nicely hasn?t he? Following on from his heroics against the British and Irish Lions, Steyn scored all 31 points in the second Test against the All Blacks in Durban. Not only was that more than anybody else has ever managed against New Zealand; more than anybody else has ever managed in a Tri-Nations match and the most penalties (eight) by a Springbok in a Test - it also cemented Steyn?s place as the Bok?s first-choice flyhalf.

Heinrich Brussow

Easily the find of the season for the Boks, the little Cheetahs dynamo has added an extra dimension to the loose trio, and ultimately the team. His ability at the breakdown during the tournament put both Richie McCaw and George Smith, still considered the two best in the business, in the shade. He may have only broken into the side after an injury to Schalk Burger but it is hard to see Brussow not being named in the starting lineup for some time to come.