JON CARDINELLI picks a South African XV based on performances in the 10th round of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.
The southern-hemisphere showpiece produced another series of upsets this past weekend. The Lions defied expectations to beat the Chiefs in Hamilton, while the Sharks capitulated to the lowly Reds in Durban.
As many as 11 Lions have made the Team of the Week as a result. Three Stormers are included despite the Cape side’s loss to the Brumbies in Cape Town.
The Lions bossed the set-pieces and collisions. Special mention goes to Carlu Sadie, who had a night to remember on the tighthead side of the scrum. Warren Whiteley stood tall as a leader and lineout exponent.
Flyhalf Gianni Lombard produced some neat attacking touches. Elton Jantjies slotted in at No 12 and proved influential as a distributor, ball-carrier and goal-kicker.
Pieter-Steph du Toit put in another big shift for the Stormers in the game against the Brumbies, while Siya Kolisi lifted the team at the gainline when he was introduced early in the first half.
Herschel Jantjies caused an otherwise impressive Brumbies defensive outfit problems, beating five defenders and making two clean breaks.
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 10)
15. Andries Coetzee (Lions)
14. Sbu Nkosi (Sharks)
13. Lionel Mapoe (Lions)
12. Elton Jantjies (Lions)
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)
10. Gianni Lombard (Lions)
9. Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)
8. Warren Whiteley (Lions)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
6. Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
5. Marvin Orie (Lions)
4. Stephan Lewies (Lions)
3. Carlu Sadie (Lions)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Sti Sithole (Lions)
The Vodacom Bulls had a bye in round 10
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 9)
15. Damian Willemse (Stormers)
14. Dillyn Leyds (Stormers)
13. Ruhan Nel (Stormers)
12. Burger Odendaal (Bulls)
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)
10. Handré Pollard (Bulls)
9. Ivan van Zyl (Bulls)
8. Paul Schoeman (Bulls)
7. Hanro Liebenberg (Bulls)
6. Marco van Staden (Bulls)
5. Cobus Wiese (Stormers)
4. RG Snyman (Bulls)
3. Wilco Louw (Stormers)
2. Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers)
1. Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)
Photo: Jeremy Ward /www.photosport.nz
