The former Kings, Toulouse and Stormers prop picks a team of the best he played alongside.

15 Gio Aplon

At the Stormers, I hated defending against him because I felt like a goalkeeper. I just had to choose a side and hope he would be there.

14 Hosea Gear

Hosea is one of those wings with a Jonah Lomu-threat – he can sidestep off both feet and also bump you off if you stand still.

13 Ronnie Cooke

Ronnie is another very good defender. He also had a bit of speed and a fighting personality. Very underrated.

12 De Wet Barry

A back with a forward’s heart. He is humble and hardworking and enjoyed defending and putting himself into dark places. A guy who sacrificed for the team.

11 Sireli Naqelevuki

We played together at the Stormers. An 114kg wing who was also unbelievably fast. He had that Fijian skill where he could sidestep you in any direction.

10 Luke McAlister

Luke is a world-class All Black and has a double threat of taking the ball to the line and passing across the field. He is also a fearless defender.

9 Ruan Pienaar

I played with Ruan at SA youth level and against him later. He never seems to be under any pressure and has all the time in the world.

8 Thierry Dusautoir (c)

A French legend and when he spoke everybody listened. A leader by example.

7 Schalk Burger

The most natural rugby player I have played with. He would be one of the strongest guys on the pitch, he was talented in so many ways.

6 Luke Watson

When I played with Luke at the Stormers, he was a force to be reckoned with. He could step you and was a menace at the breakdown. He would have a massive impact on the game.

5 Andries Bekker

I played with Andries at schoolboy level at Paul Roos and at Western Province. I rate him as one of the best five locks to have played and is unmatched at the lineouts.

4 Joe Tekori

Another who I played alongside at Toulouse. One of those massive humans, but he is also the funniest guy off the field. On the pitch, he is one of the most ferocious, with fingers as big as bananas.

3 Census Johnston

Census looks like the Disney character Maui and is a bit of a demigod when it comes to scrumming. He is 140kg of ill-tempered Samoan muscle. An immensely strong human being and is so skilful.

2 Bismarck du Plessis

I played with Bismarck at SA Schools and SA U21, and we grew up together. Bissie is very physical and it was great to scrum next to him. He carries so strongly and is just an all-round champion.

1 Gurthro Steenkamp

I played with Gurthro at Toulouse, he was the senior loosehead when I arrived. He pushed me to be a better loosehead. I have massive respect for him.

Photo: Gall Images