SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: THE CHIEFS AND LIONS ARE FIRST AND SECOND ON THE COMBINED SUPER RUGBY STANDINGS AND THEY HAVE FIVE PLAYERS EACH IN OUR FAMOUS TEAM OF THE WEEK FOR ROUND 13.
Both team's picked up impressive wins this past weekend and it is no surprise that players from the two teams dominate our selection.
The Sharks and Reds have one player each in our XV. The Bulls have three players in our team after the gritty victory over the Stormers.
Damian McKenzie, Ruan Combrinck and James Lowe make up our back three. In the midfield when have more Lions and Chiefs players with Lionel Mapoe and Anton Lienert-Brown at outside and inside centre respectively.
At flyhalf we have Patrick Lambie and Brad Weber gets our nod at scrumhalf.
Up front, Warren Whiteley, Jannes Kirsten and Pieter Labuschagne are our choices in the back row, while in the second row we have gone with Rudolph Snyman and Dominic Bird.
Julian Redelinghuys, Armand van der Merwe and James Slipper make up our front row.
Team of the week - Round 13:
15 - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
He was just so busy with ball in hand against the Melbourne Rebels and again tortured the opposition's defence with his speed and guile.
Bubbling under: Willie le Roux (Sharks)
14 - Ruan Combrinck (Lions)
The flyer will surely be a Springbok in June. He scored two great tries against the Jaguares and showed once again why he is such a great attacking weapon.
Bubbling under: JP Pietersen (Sharks)
13 - Lionel Mapoe (Lions)
It was another industrious attacking performance by South Africa's in-form centre against the Jaguares. He scored a try as well.
Bubbling under: Israel Folau (Waratahs)
12 - Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
He was very effective with ball in hand against the Rebels. He racked up the running metres out wide and had great vision for the gap.
Bubbling under: Damian de Allende (Stormers)
11 - James Lowe (Chiefs)
James Lowe is a player who thinks out of the box and it showed against the Rebels. He was elusive with ball in hand and created try-scoring opportunities with his skill and pace.
Bubbling under: Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks)
10 - Patrick Lambie (Sharks)
The flyhalf had a field day against the Southern Kings. He controlled the game nicely and was a menace on attack in Durban.
Bubbling under: Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders)
9 - Brad Weber (Chiefs)
Had a big hand in two of his team's tries against the Rebels and was also solid in defence for the Hamilton team.
Bubbling under: Francois de Klerk (Lions)
8 - Warren Whiteley (Lions)
It was another great all-round performance by the captain. He led by example on attack and in defence against the Jaguares.
Bubbling under: Curtis Browning (Reds)
7 - Jannes Kirsten (Bulls)
The flank was aggressive in the tackle and also carried the ball strongly against the Stormers.
Bubbling under: Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
6 - Pieter Labuschagne (Bulls)
He tackled his heart out against the Stormers and that's all that matters in a South African derby.
Bubbling under: Jaco Kriel (Lions)
5 - Rudolph Snyman (Bulls)
The big lock was massive in the physical exchanges and played a key part in his team's win over the Stormers.
Bubbling under: Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
4 - Dominic Bird (Chiefs)
He hardly put a foot wrong against the Rebels. He did well in the set pieces and was industrious in open play as well.
Bubbling under: Luke Romano (Crusaders)
3 - Julian Redelinghuys (Lions)
He was solid in the scrums against the Jaguares and put in some big hits in defence as well.
Bubbling under: Owen Franks (Crusaders)
2 - Armand van der Merwe (Lions)
The powerful hooker put in another strong performance with ball in hand. He was also part of a formidable tight five on the weekend.
Bubbling under: Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
1 - James Slipper (Reds)
The prop was a rock in the scrums and also showed some skill and pace in open play against the Sunwolves.
Bubbling under: Joe Moody (Crusaders)
