15 - Israel Dagg (New Zealand):
He has certainly found his best form and erased any doubts about who should wear the No.15 jersey.
Bubbling under: Willie le Roux (South Africa)
14 - Cornal Hendriks (South Africa):
He of the dancing feet, leap-frogging opponents.
Bubbling under: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
13 - Tevita Kuridrani (Australia):
This was a tough call, but Kuridrani just edged it with his powerplays.
Bubbling under: Jan Serfontein (South Africa)
12 - Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand):
No words needed. Simply the best!
Bubbling under: Jean de Villiers (South Africa)
11 - Julian Savea (New Zealand):
He doesn't need to be given any room, he creates it himself with those powerful legs.
Bubbling under: Joe Tomane (Australia)
10 - Patrick Lambie (South Africa):
He made a big statement in his 22-minute cameo.
Bubbling under: Nicolas Sanchez (Argentina)
9 - Aaron Smith (New Zealand):
He got some strong competition this week in what is normally a one-horse race.
Bubbling under: Francois Hougaard (South Africa)
8 - Duane Vermeulen (South Africa):
Arguably now the best No.8 in the world.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (New Zealand)
7 - Schalk Burger (South Africa):
He made an immense impact and showed just why he is rated so highly by the Springbok management.
Bubbling under: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
6 - Jerome Kaino (New Zealand):
Looking like making New Zealand's No.6 jersey his own.
Bubbling under: Scott Fardy (Australia)
5 - Victor Matfield (South Africa):
Plenty life left in those 37-year-old legs.
Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
4 - Brodie Retallick (New Zealand):
Still no No.4 that can hold a candle to him.
Bubbling under: Sam carter (Australia)
3 - Sekope Kepu (Australia):
There is more than just scrumming for a prop to do.
Bubbling under: Jannie du Plessis (South Africa)
2 - Adriaan Strauss (South Africa):
Giving the Springbok coach a nice 'headache'.
Bubbling under: Kevin Mealamu (New Zealand)
1 - Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa):
The Beast showed glimpses of his best form.
Bubbling under: Wyatt Crockett (New Zealand)
Planet Rugby
15 Israel Dagg (New Zealand) - No debate here as Dagg was the catalyst of an All Blacks victory. His assist for Ben Smith was followed up by Smith returning the favour later on as he glided across the turf, recapturing his top form after a recent mini slump on the Test scene. He made well over 100 metres as his rivals at Newlands, Willie le Roux and Israel Folau were surprisingly quiet.
14 Ben Smith (New Zealand) - What can you say about the man? In a week that former Wallaby wing David Campese was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame, Smith gave that no-look pass to Dagg for New Zealand's second score. The Highlander followed that up with another understated performance on the right wing for New Zealand as 2013's top finisher finally broke his 2014 Rugby Championship drought on Saturday.
13 Tevita Kuridrani (Australia) - Player of the weekend? It was a game that Kuridrani re-announced himself on the international scene after having been dropped for their Rugby Championship opener due to Adam Ashley-Cooper's Waratahs midfield form being favoured. With eight defenders beaten in his seventeen carries, Kuridrani also backed that up with seventeen devastating tackles as he could not be stopped by the Springboks at Newlands.
12 Jean de Villiers (South Africa) - Malakai Fekitoa went very well at inside centre for New Zealand, especially with a lot of pressure resting on his shoulders due to Ma'a Nonu's absence. He made all the right decisions, which shows he is learning quickly about Test rugby, while his fifteen carries saw him beat six defenders. However, a captain's effort from De Villiers could not be ignored. Two tries, twelve carries and ten hits to go with leadership and desire that played a part in South Africa's late surge sees him take our twelve shirt.
11 Julian Savea (New Zealand) - One try but he could easily have scored three on Saturday but for two offside calls. Despite the two near misses, he still tops the Rugby Championship try chart with one game to go as his record now reads 27 tries in 27 internationals. Wow. He made over 100 metres with ball in hand while his intelligent chip kicks were also effective.
10 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) - 100 percent off the kicking tee from Barrett while he controlled matters pretty well against Argentina with a good mix of option taking. Having two Rugby Championship games as a guaranteed starter should benefit Barrett longer term and who knows, another big showing at Ellis Park and he could become first choice for Bledisloe III and then November. Mention for Nicolás Sánchez for another big shift for the Pumas.
9 Francois Hougaard (South Africa) - Had his doubters after indifferent performances off the bench in the earlier rounds, but it was an excellent effort from Hougaard at Newlands. South Africa dominated up front, with the scrum-half's 117 passes evidence of that, while fifteen tackles were also made by the number nine in a high tempo game. Maybe that's key to his form? He seems to thrive playing on instinct. Aaron Smith was his usual busy self.
8 Duane Vermeulen (South Africa) - Has been one of the Boks' most consistent players throughout the tournament and despite leaving the field after 60 minutes through injury, he delivered another stellar performance. He was the go-to-man as a ball carrier, with two defenders beaten, but also put his body on the line on defence and was a line-out option.
7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand) - The All Black veteran led from the front as his side secured the Rugby Championship title with victory over Argentina in La Plata. He combined brilliantly with Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino in the All Blacks' back-row. He did well with ball in hand but also impressed on defence, making nine tackles. McCaw beats out Springbok foragerMarcell Coetzee who was superb against the Wallabies at Newlands.
6 Jerome Kaino (New Zealand) - The All Blacks enforcer was back to his best in La Plata with a superb all-round performance against Argentina. Kaino was brilliant on attack, gaining 78 metres whilst also making sixteen tackles. He sees off Wallaby flank Scott Fardy, who also deserves a mention after a huge defensive effort in his side's defeat to the Springboks.
5 Victor Matfield (South Africa) - Another superb effort from the 37-year-old, who defied his critics' belief that he is a spent force at Test level by playing the final 20 minutes of the clash against Australia on the blindside flank. Matfield was a willing ball carrier but shone at his core duty, winning six line-outs. Matfield also impressed on defence with sixteen tackles.
4 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand) - Delivered a busy shift for the All Blacks against los Pumas. Whitelock was, once again at the coalface of his side's forward effort against their physical opponents, and never took a backward step in the tight exchanges. He also caught the eye on defence, with seventeen tackles made. A welcome return for boss Steve Hansen.
3 Owen Franks (New Zealand) - Chalk that up as another steady performance at tighthead for Franks who, in the eyes of referee Craig Joubert, got the better of Marcos Ayerza at scrum time. Like all the All Black pack, their set-piece is just one part of their game as he contributed in all areas, making ten tackles and being able to link play effortlessly.
2 Keven Mealamu (New Zealand) - A tough call here as all hookers performed admirably.Agustín Creevy made a staggering eighteen carries for the Pumas cause while Australia hookerSaia Faingaa racked up 21 tackles. Adriaan Strauss also had a solid game but the effort of 35-year-old Mealamu was superb. He rolled back the years with his carries.
1 James Slipper (Australia) - Slipper has to be up there as one of the hardest-working looseheads in the game. His mobility and fitness was evident on Saturday as he made 20 tackles - combining for a front-row total of 59 - whilst also carrying well at Newlands.
Sydney Morning Herald
Team of the week
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
2. Adriaan Strauss (South Africa)
3. Sekope Kepu (Australia)
4. Victor Matfield (South Africa)
5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
6. Scott Fardy (Australia)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)
9. Francois Hougaard (South Africa)
10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
12. Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Australia)
14. Juan Imhoff (Argentina)
15. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
