It was again slim pickings for our weekly Super Rugby selection, as we only had four teams from the semifinals.

But the winners were richly rewarded and deservedly dominate both the starting XV and back-up squad.

The New Zealand champions, the Chiefs, have six members in our starting XV, followed closely by South Africa's best team, the Sharks, with five.

The Stormers and Crusaders, with two each, make up the numbers.

The Sharks have seven members in our back-up squad, followed by five Chiefs, two Stormers and one Crusader.

Five players return from last week - JP Pietersen (Sharks), who was selected as a wing last week and outside centre this week, No.8 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), flank Marcell Coetzee (Sharks), lock Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders) and hooker Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks).

Team of the Week - Semifinals:

15 - Robbie Robinson (Chiefs):
He may have had a few bad days at the office this year, but when it mattered most he was on top of his game.
Bubbling under: Riaan Viljoen (Sharks)

14 - Louis Ludik (Sharks):
He has been in sublime form at fullback in recent weeks and carried that onto the wing - even defending at centre at times. And his defence was outstanding.
Bubbling under: Gio Aplon (Stormers)

13 - JP Pietersen (Sharks):
That try was a classic piece of outside centre play, but the Springbok wing produced so much more in the midfield.
Bubbling under: Andrew Horrell (Chiefs)

12 - Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs):
He will be missed when he eventually leaves New Zealand. His skill and vision in crucial moments are invaluable.
Bubbling under: Jean de Villiers (Stormers)

11 - Bryan Habana (Stormers):
He has regained his form, but it was his high workrate in a losing cause that really impressed.
Bubbling under: Zac Guilford (Crusaders)

10 - Frederic Michalak (Sharks):
It was a close call, but the French flyhalf eventually  won the vote because of his sublime display in Cape Town. He will again be one of the key players in the Final.
Bubbling under: Aaron Cruden (Chiefs)

9 - Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs):
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said last week he was one of his team's biggest threats and he produced another performance that will put him in the All Black selection frame.
Bubbling under: Charl McLeod (Sharks)

8 - Richie McCaw (Crusaders):
Showed his class again.
Bubbling under: Ryan Kankowski (Sharks)

7 - Marcell Coetzee (Sharks):
He must be close to being South Africa's premier loose forward at present ... in his first full year of Super Rugby. You can see why he is a first-choice for the Bok team.
Bubbling under: Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs)

6 - Liam Messam (Chiefs):
He was a real menace to the Crusaders and will be vital to the Chiefs' cause in the Final.
Bubbling under: Keegan Daniel  (Sharks)

5 - Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders):
It was the position we most debated it and he won on a majority vote.
Bubbling under: Anton Bresler (Sharks)

4 - Eben Etzebeth (Stormers):
His return showed what the Stormers had missed since he was injured in June. That hit on Bismarck du Plessis was brutal and typical of what he brings to the game.
Bubbling under: Craig Clarke (Chiefs)

3 - Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs):
This young man has been a revelation this season and could be a great asset to the All Blacks if he continues to improve.
Bubbling under: Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)

2 - Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks):
To get up from that hit by Eben Etzebeth and make the contribution he did shows what he is made of.
Bubbling under: Mahonri Schwalger (Chiefs)

1 - Sona Taumalolo (Chiefs):
He scored his customary try and his energy is just so refreshing.
Bubbling under: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)

Our individual selections

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14  Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Len Kaplan XV: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Sona Taumalolo.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Richie McCaw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Sona Taumalolo.