MVP for the Year?

I think it only fair to judge a player by the gulf they leave behind when they are not playing. If that be the criteria, then Alberts certainly has to be the man. When Alberts plays well, the Boks are more often than not rampant. His injury at Ellis Park was fatal to the Boks causes and his progression as a player from the jittery England series is something to admire. Who is your choice?

 Definitely not Alberts - his flaws at Ellis Park allowed the AB's to score two tries and his injury was a lucky break for the Springboks.   I would say the choice is a close one between Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana and Willie le Roux.   My choice will be Le Roux.

 Le Roux at wing is a definite prospect, I agree. But to say Alberts is nothing? Well that's just rediculous in the extreme. He is our primary ball carrier and a monstrous defender. His work off the ball is extraordinary. The only issue Alberts ever had was consistency, but he has been very good all season. As mentioned, when Alberts plays well, it lifts the entire team. That's just how valuable he has become, just as Schalk was in 2004-2005.

If we were talking the YE tour, I'd go for Alberts thus far. For the year as a whole, JdV would get my vote.  

 I can't argue with your thinking Mozart, he has done his part. His captaincy in the Ellis Park test disappointed me though and our reliance on the loose trio, of which Alberts is vitally important, edges it for me. It's nice to be able to mention so many players. Du Preez, Jean, Habana, Bismarck, Strauss, Eben. Duane, Flo, Le Roux, Alberts have all been particularly good pretty much all season.