ToW Rugby 365

There was a big range of impressive performers this week with only the Bulls and Hurricanes not making it into rugby365's famous Team of the Week.

Teams who impressed this week, like the Lions, Cheetahs and Chiefs, all get four players in the team after they defeated the Rebels, Sharks and Hurricanes respectively. The table-topping Waratahs, who piled misery onto the Highlanders, weigh in with five of their own men. Teams that did not fare as well, such as the Sharks, Reds and Rebels still get a showing with a player each. The Highlanders even have two Smiths making an appearance in the team despite the hammering they felt at the hands of the Australian conference champions. The Stormers have been rewarded for holding the Bulls scoreless with three players making it. The Blues and Force are represented by two players respectively. While the Crusaders round off the team with a powerful wing. Team of the Week - Round 18: 15 - Willie le Roux (Cheetahs): He is in constant competition with Ben Smith, but his flair and skill really inspired his team to a famous victory. Bubbling under: Ben Smith (Highlanders) 14 - Gio Aplon (Stormers): On his return from injury he was electric, looking for work in attack and fronting up to the much larger opposition in defense. Bubbling under: Alofa Alofa (Waratahs) 13 - Samu Kerevi (Reds): Truly a star in the making, in his run on debut he kept the Force's legendary defense very busy with his pace and size. Bubbling under: JP Pietersen (Sharks) 12 - Kurtley Beale (Waratahs): When the Waratahs are dominating and dangerous you can bet that Beale is the one pulling the strings all over the park. Bubbling under: Ma'a Nonu (Blues) 11 - Nemani Nadolo (Crusaders): He must be at a real high point in his career having helped Fiji to the World Cup and now scoring two tries for the Crusaders - he is looking unstoppable Bubbling under: Nick Cummins (Force) 10 - Bernard Foley (Waratahs): He has taken a leaf out of Beale's book, far more creative and dangerous as his confidence grows and grows. Bubbling under: Marnitz Boshoff (Lions) 9 - Aaron Smith (Highlanders): Even in a losing cause he is class, he did not allow the Waratahs to stem his attacking creativity. Bubbling under: Nic Groom (Stormers) 8 - Phillip van der Walt (Cheetahs): Another one who impressed on his come back, powerful and direct, looked hungry for work - he will be missed by the Cheetahs. Bubbling under: Warren Whiteley (Lions) 7 - Warwick Tecklenburg (Lions): Led an impressive loose forward trio for the Lions that the Rebels just could not keep up with, scored a try and was busy all over the park. Bubbling under: Michael Hooper (Waratahs) 6 - Nizaam Carr (Stormers): Has been impressive all season as he continues keeps Springbok Siya Kolisi out of the starting line-up, played 67 minutes while fasting! Bubbling under: Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs) 5 - Brodie Retallick (Chiefs): A true enforcer that never seems to have a bad day, did the hard work that starved the Hurricanes of ball and possession. Bubbling under: Luke Jones (Rebels) 4 - Lodewyk de Jager (Cheetahs): He followed up his impressive Springbok performance with another solid display, great in the line-outs as well as in open play. Bubbling under: Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues) 3 - Sekope Kepu (Waratahs): Played more like a loose forward, scored a try, set up another with an audacious offload to Jacques Potgieter and was very busy through out. Bubbling under: Ben Tameifuna (Chiefs) 2 - Adriaan Strauss (Cheetahs): Looked hungry for rugby again after serving his three week ban over the international window, bodes well for the Boks in the Rugby Championship. Bubbling under: Nathan Charles (Force) 1 - Jamie Mackintosh (Chiefs): For a big man he does work hard, scrums impressively and does his job in the rucks and tackles. Bubbling under: Schalk van der Merwe (Lions) Our individual selections! Paul Dobson XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Benn Robinson. Michael de Vries XV: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Tanerau Latimer, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Jamie Mackintosh. Darryn Pollock XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Gio Aplon, Samu Kerevi, 2 Kurtley Beale, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.