SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: IT WAS AN EASY SELECTION THIS WEEK AS THE RUGBY365 TEAM SAT DOWN TO DECIDE ON OUR FAMOUS SELECTION.
The Lions and Highlanders, who scored the two most impressive victories of the round, dominate our selection.
There are five Lions and four Highlanders in our starting XV, with more award for them in our back-up squad - three more Highlanders and three Lions bubbling under.
In our first-choice selection the remainder of the squad is made up of two Hurricanes; while the Crusaders,
Brumbies, Stormers and Sunwolves have one each.
Below the Lions and Highlanders - in our back-up squad - we have Jaguares, Brumbies, Sunwolves (all two), Crusaders, Waratahs and Cheetahs (one each).
Just two players return from last week - wing Waisake Naholo (Highlanders) and No.8 Luke Whitelock (Highlanders).
Team of the week - Round 12:
15 - Israel Dagg (Crusaders):
Even in a losing cause he outplayed All Black rival Ben Smith and showed he is still good to wear the national team jersey.
Bubbling under: Joaquín Tuculet (Jaguares)
14 - Waisake Naholo (Highlanders):
In line for comeback of the year. A monster on attack.
Bubbling under: Akihito Yamada (Sunwolves)
13 - Lionel Mapoe (Lions):
Again sent new Springbok coach Allister Coetzee a message: I am international quality.
Bubbling under: Matt Faddes (Highlanders)
12 - Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions):
Not just big and strong. Combines well with Mapoe.
Bubbling under: David Havili (Crusaders)
11 - Wes Goosen (Hurricanes):
The young South African-born flyer could be in a black shirt with a silver fern on the chest in the not too distant future.
Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)
10 - Elton Jantjies (Lions):
In monsoon like conditions he produced some of the most sublime skillset displays seen this year. Showed he does have all the attributes required of a Bok flyhalf, even if his goal-kicking requires some work.
Bubbling under: Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders)
9 - Aaron Smith (Highlanders):
It is his decision-making that is most impressive and often sets him apart in crucial contests.
Bubbling under: Tomas Cubelli (Brumbies)
8 - Luke Whitelock (Highlanders):
He played like a man possessed, someone with a point to prove - and he certainly made a statement to the Crusaders.
Bubbling under: Warren Whiteley (Lions)
7 - David Pocock (Brumbies):
He has changed his game dramatically in the last few weeks - fewer breakdown steals, but far more effective on defence and in carrying the ball.
Bubbling under: Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
6 - Elliot Dixon (Highlanders):
At times it seemed there were 15 Dixons on the field. He kept popping up everywhere.
Bubbling under: Jaco Kriel (Lions)
5 - Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers):
No doubt he has the inside line for the Springbok No.5 jumper.
Bubbling under: Franco Mostert (Lions)
4 - Tim Bond (Sunwolves):
He was the spark in a Sunwolves pack that held its own in all aspects, but the scrums.
Bubbling under: Lodewyk De Jager (Cheetahs)
3 - Julian Redelinghuys (Lions):
Showed this past weekend just how much the Lions missed him. A solid set piece means a solid platform for the team to launch that famous running game.
Bubbling under: Ramiro Herrera (Jaguares)
2 - Malcolm Marx (Lions):
The young man has made great strides this year. A bright future awaits him.
Bubbling under: Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1 - Reg Goodes (Hurricanes):
He has run into some serious from and the South African could be in line for an All Black call-up.
Bubbling under: Masataka Mikami (Sunwolves)
