There are just two South African players in the rugby365 Team of the Week, with both of them from the Lions side that downed the Bulls.
With just two South African derbies which both ended in somewhat surprising victories for the Stormers and the Lions, our team is dominated by players from Australasia this week.
The Waratahs (an away win against the Chiefs) and Brumbies (victorious at home to the Rebels) have the most players in our side with three each.
The Crusaders, Blues and Lions have two players each after earning solid home wins - while the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Reds make up the numbers.
There is further award for the winning teams from the weekend in our back-up squad.
The Blues and Waratahs have three players each, while the Crusaders and Hurricanes (two each) are next best.
The Highlanders, Force, Brumbies, Reds and Sharks make up the numbers.
Only one player returns from last week - fullback Ben Smith (Highlanders).
Team of the Week - Round 16:
15 - Ben Smith (Highlanders):
Tough call, but we went with Smith ahead of Israel Dagg as he constantly posed a threat on attack in a game where the rest of his teammates were not always as enthusiastic.
Bubbling under: Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
14 - Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders):
Five clean breaks and three defenders beaten in nine runs - says it all.
Bubbling under: Richard Buckman (Highlanders)
13 - Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs):
He has found a rich vein of form, which will stand him in good stead in the June Tests.
Bubbling under: Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)
12 - Kurtley Beale (Waratahs):
He is forming a great partnership with Adam Ashley-Cooper in midfield.
Bubbling under: Ma'a Nonu (Blues)
11 - Julian Savea (Hurricanes):
His team may have had a wobble, but he remained a huge threat on attack.
Bubbling under: Nick Cummins (Western Force)
10 - Marnitz Boshoff (Lions):
There is a good reason why he is on the fringe of Springbok selection.
Bubbling under: Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
9 - Will Genia (Reds):
He is fast regaining his best form.
Bubbling under: Nick Phipps (Waratahs)
8 - Kieran Read (Crusaders):
There is only one Kieran Read.
Bubbling under: Jerome Kaino (Blues)
7 - Luke Braid (Blues):
He was like a ravaging vulture at the breakdown, while his work on defence was probably more valuable than the turnovers he secured.
Bubbling under: Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
6 - Jaco Kriel (Lions):
He must also have made the Springbok selectors sit up and take note.
Bubbling under: Faifili Levave (Hurricanes)
5 - Kane Douglas (Waratahs):
He was the rock in a Waratahs pack the dominated the forward exchanges.
Bubbling under: Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders)
4 - Sam Carter (Brumbies):
One of his best performances of the season.
Bubbling under: Rob Simmons (Reds)
3 - Charlie Faumuina (Blues):
The Blues prop was solid in the set-pieces and showed some nice touches around the park as well.
Bubbling under: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Hurricanes)
2 - Stephen Moore (Brumbies):
He has been a rock for the Brumbies all season and has been rewarded with the Wallaby captaincy.
Bubbling under: Tatafu Polota Nau (Waratahs)
1 - Scott Sio (Brumbies):
Any good team requires a solid front row and the Brumbies' results reflect this.
Bubbling under: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
Our individual selections!
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Will Genia, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Michael de Vries XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
Darryn Pollock XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Will Genia, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
