CRAIG LEWIS picks a South African XV based on performances in the 13th round of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.

With Super Rugby having reached the business end, just three log points separate the top four sides in the South African conference, with the Vodacom Bulls and Sharks suffering defeats in round 13, while the Lions picked up a valuable win.

The Sharks were competitive despite suffering a tour-ending loss to the Chiefs on Saturday. Curwin Bosch impressed again on attack (117m made, 13 carries), while S’bu Nkosi and Aphelele Fassi also featured prominently.

In the second row, Hyron Andrews also produced an industrious performance, which included a standout try and 11 tackles.

For the Lions, the statistics certainly reflect well for Aphiwe Dyantyi, who racked up 103m, 15 carries and beat five defenders. Harold Vorster was also solid at inside centre, impressively setting up one try in a performance that saw him make 52m from 12 carries.

However, it was Malcolm Marx who walked away with the Man of the Match award, racking up a whopping 17 carries for 84m, while Kwagga Smith also made an impression with a try, 31m, 13 carries and a couple of turnovers.

Of course, it wasn’t a performance to remember for the Bulls, who were utterly outplayed at home, but Duane Vermeulen did win a number of turnovers.

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 13)
15. Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)
14. Courtnall Skosan (Lions)
13. Lionel Mapoe (Lions)
12. Harold Vorster (Lions)
11. Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions)
10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9. Louis Schreuder (Sharks)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)
7. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)
6. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
5. Ruan Botha (Sharks)
4. Hyron Andrews (Sharks)
3. Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
The Stormers had a bye in round 13

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 12)
15. Damian Willemse (Stormers)
14. Sbu Nkosi (Sharks)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. Johnny Kotze (Bulls)
11. Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
10. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
9. Louis Schreuder (Sharks)
8. Dan du Preez (Sharks)
7. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)
6. Marco van Staden (Bulls)
5. RG Snyman (Bulls)
4. Ruben van Heerden (Sharks)
3. Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks)
2. Akker van der Merwe (Sharks)
1. Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)
The Lions had a bye in round 12

Photo: Chris Kotze/BackpagePix