JON CARDINELLI picks a South African XV based on performances in the 16th round of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.

The past weekend served up some mixed results.

The Vodacom Bulls fought hard to draw 22-22 with the Blues in Auckland. The Sharks failed to claim so much as a bonus point in their 30-17 loss to the Hurricanes in Durban, while the Lions romped to a convincing 41-22 victory over the Stormers in Johannesburg.

There were some tough calls to make regarding the Team of the Week, especially at outside centre and fullback.

Aphelele Fassi shone with ball in hand, but in the end I felt that Andries Coetzee’s all-round contribution deserved acknowledgement. Lionel Mapoe came to life in the second stanza of the derby at Ellis Park, but Lukhanyo Am was a constant attacking threat in Durban.

The Lions front row earn selection on the back of their dominant scrummaging performance against the Stormers. That said, Malcolm Marx was immense at the breakdowns and with ball in hand.

The Bulls second row stood tall in the draw against the Blues. Marco van Staden was a force at the rucks, winning some key turnovers for his side.

Vincent Tshituka got through a lot of work in the match against the Stormers. The blindsider was outshone, however, by his back-row partner Kwagga Smith.

Smith beat four defenders, made two clean breaks and scored two important tries for his team. The No 8 had a productive evening on defence, too, making 15 tackles and winning three turnovers.

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 16)
15. Andries Coetzee (Lions)
14. S’bu Nkosi (Sharks)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. Harold Vorster (Lions)
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)
10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9. Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)
8. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
7. Vincent Tshituka (Lions)
6. Marco van Staden (Bulls)
5. RG Snyman (Bulls)
4. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)
3. Carlu Sadie (Lions)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Dylan Smith (Lions)

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 15)
15. Damian Willemse (Stormers)
14. S’bu Nkosi (Sharks)
13. Lionel Mapoe (Lions)
12. Damian de Allende (Stormers)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9. Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)
8. Dan du Preez (Sharks)
7. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)
6. Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
5. Ruan Botha (Sharks)
4. Cobus Wiese (Stormers)
3. Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks)
2. Kerron van Vuuren (Sharks)
1. Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix