Comments: one back & two forwards selected for the Sharks but more bubbling under (2 backs & 1 forward) Glad to see another SA 10 emerge April has been playing well.
Full article belowThe Durban-based side produced their best performance of the season to beat the Hurricanes, while other SA teams, the Bulls, Southern Kings and Cheetahs were disappointing in their matches and don't have a single player in our XV or bubbling under. The Lions and Stormers had bye.
The Highlanders, who beat the high flying Chiefs, have five players in our XV.
In the backline we have Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo and Jone Macilai-Tori in the back three and an all-Aussie midfield pairing with Tevita Kuridrani and Kurtley Beale.
At flyhalf we have Garth April from the Sharks, while Tomás Cubelli is our pick at scrumhalf.
In the pack, Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd and Keegan Daniel are our loose trio. Stephan Lewies and Patrick Tuipulotu are in the second row.
Josh Hohneck, Stephen Moore and Daniel Lienert-Brown completes our tight five.
Team of the week - Round 11
15 - Ben Smith (Highlanders)
He was ever present in the win against the Chiefs with ball in hand. His experience from the back just lifts his team to another level.
Bubbling under: Willie le Roux (Sharks)
14 - Waisake Naholo (Highlanders)
He showed just why he is an All Black in the match against the Chiefs. He scored two crucial tries in the win and also won a few turnovers for his team.
Bubbling under: JP Pietersen (Sharks)
13 - Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
Was solid in the midfield against the Bulls and again racked up the metres with ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Israel Folau (Waratahs)
12 - Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)
His decision-making and distribution at inside centre was second to none in Round 11. He also caused a few problems for the Cheetahs when he took the ball to the line.
Bubbling under: Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders)
11 - Jone Macilai-Tori (Crusaders)
For a wing, he was simply phenomenal against the Reds. He scored three tries after some superb finishing and also had a hand in another against the Queensland side.
Bubbling under: Patrick Osborne (Highlanders)
10 - Garth April (Sharks)
The 24-year-old just gets better with every game. The Sharks' backline look like they know what they are doing with him at the helm.
Bubbling under: Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders)
9 - Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies)
He kept the Bulls defence guessing with his nippy service and quick darts. He is scored a try as well against the team from Pretoria.
Bubbling under: Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
8 - Luke Whitelock (Highlanders)
He put in a great all-round performance against the Chiefs. He never missed a tackle and also carried the ball with aggression.
Bubbling under: Kieran Read (Crusaders)
7 - Matt Todd (Crusaders)
He was a nuisance at the breakdowns against the Reds and also won a number of turnover ball. It was a great display by the flank.
Bubbling under: Sam Cane (Chiefs)
6 - Keegan Daniel (Sharks)
The veteran played out of his skin against the Hurricanes. He made metres every time he carried the ball and he eluded a number of defended. Daniel also put in some big hits on defence.
Bubbling under: Jordan Taufua (Crusaders)
5 - Stephan Lewies (Sharks)
He put in some bone-crunching tackles against the Hurricanes and just played like a monster when he had ball in hand.
Bubbling under: Thomas Franklin (Highlanders)
4 - Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
The big lock was great in open play, on attack and defence, against the Southern Kings and also secured valuable ball for his team in the line-outs.
Bubbling under: Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
3 - Josh Hohneck (Highlanders)
He put in a strong performance in the scrums against the Chiefs and also assisted in one of Waisake Naholo's tries on the weekend.
Bubbling under: Michael Alaalatoa (Crusaders)
2 - Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
The Wallaby captain led by example with ball in hand against the Bulls and made some good decisions on the field as well.
Bubbling under: Ash Dixon (Highlanders)
1 - Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders)
Threw a dummy and raced 23 exhilarating metres to score a try. He is a prop.
Bubbling under: Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
