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

The Vodacom Bulls thumped the Sharks 37-14 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday to move to the top of the South African conference. Earlier, an inexperienced Lions side ran seven tries past the Jaguares at Ellis Park to claim a valuable 47-39 win.

The Bulls dominated at the collisions and that dominance is reflected in this week’s selections. The Lions scrum deserves a mention, though, for the manner in which it destroyed the Jaguares set piece.

Scrumhalf Ivan van Zyl produced a solid kicking performance behind a strong back, and took some excellent options on attack. The Bulls’ back-three combination of Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks and Rosko Specman put the Sharks under pressure with their chasing, as well as their running in the wider channels.

Elton Jantjies was influential in the Lions’ big win over the Jaguares, and finished the game with a personal tally of 17 points. Handré Pollard was the standout South African No 10 this past weekend, though, producing a commanding all-round showing in a tough derby.

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Much of the talk last week was around the match-up between Jesse Kriel and Lukhanyo Am at Loftus. Kriel made the bigger impact on the day, and Am’s influence was limited by the struggles of his pack.

The best No 13 on show, however, was Wandisile Simelane. The 20-year-old had a hand in Kwagga Smith’s try, and made a mark with a searing five-pointer of his own.

Overall, Simelane made 105 running metres, beat eight defenders and made two clean breaks. He’s been identified as one for the future, and will certainly give the Springbok selectors food for thought if he continues in this manner.

André Esterhuizen offered a lot of go-forward when he was introduced later in the game at Loftus. One wonders why the Sharks No 12, who was picked by the Boks for his physicality last season, wasn’t backed to start in a battle of this nature.

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 4)*
15. Warrick Gelant (Bulls)
14. Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
13. Wandisile Simelane (Lions)
12. André Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11. Rosko Specman (Bulls)
10. Handré Pollard (Bulls)
9. Ivan van Zyl (Bulls)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)
7. Tim Agaba (Bulls)
6. Marnus Schoeman (Lions)
5. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)
4. Hanro Liebenberg (Bulls)
3. Carlu Sadie (Lions)
2. Schalk Brits (Bulls)
1. Dylan Smith (Lions)
* The Stormers had a bye in round four

OPINION: Bulls’ rise bodes well for Boks

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 3)
15. Warrick Gelant (Bulls)
14. Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
13. Jesse Kriel (Bulls)
12. Dylan Sage (Bulls)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
10. Handré Pollard (Bulls)
9. Embrose Papier (Bulls)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
6. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
5. Jason Jenkins (Bulls)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
3. Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
2. Schalk Brits (Bulls)
1. Ali Vermaak (Stormers)

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix