S14: Team of the Week, Round 12
Mon, 05 May 2008 22:18
Storming season: Andries Bekker
To say that we had a stormy selection meeting would be too clichéd. It was a pleasant chat about a weekend in which some teams really entertained and other were bitterly disappointing.
It has been indeed a while, several years, since one team dominated our weekly selection like the Stormers have - but that first half performance was sublime and showed just how much class the Cape Town outfit has.
We feel they may have taken their foot off the gas deliberately after the break - a risky move, but one that may pay dividends in later games when fatigue starts to set in.
As it is, we have eight Stormers in our team, with only the Crusaders (two) having more than one member.
The rest of the team is made up of players (one each) from the Chiefs, Western Force, Sharks, Bulls and Highlanders.
Four players are back from last week's team - fullback Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), wing Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), lock Andries Bekker (Stormers) and prop Brian Mujati (Stormers - but at loosehead).
Team of the Week - Round 12:
15 - Conrad Jantjes (Stormers):
Jantjes has certainly revived his career with his move to Cape Town and now he looks the most likely replacement for Percy Montgomery as the Bok No.15.
14 - Lelia Masaga (Chiefs):
Like Jantjes a unanimous choice by our resident experts. Blessed with great speed and skills, Masaga is a young player with huge potential.
13 - Gcobani Bobo (Stormers):
At the start of the season he looked like a prop, sluggish and predictable. Now, when Stormers captain Jean de Villiers says: 'I think Bobo is playing fantastic rugby', nobody can dispute it.
12 - Jean de Villiers (Stormers):
He seems to be revelling under the captaincy and producing one sublime performance after another.
11 - Drew Mitchell
(Western Force):
Some teams need that special spark and Mitchell seems to be one of the true sparks in a Force team blowing hot and cold at the moment.
10 - Peter Grant (Stormers):
He is now showing why he was called up to the national side for the 2007 Tri-Nations. This gifted backline player, who is also at home as an inside centre, is also tasked with the responsibility of kicking for the Stormers - a job he does with aplomb.
9 - Ricky January (Stormers):
Another player who has benefited from the move south to Cape Town and Rassie Erasmus' astute coaching.
8 - Ryan Kankowski (Sharks):
Even when all around him seems to implode, Kankowski rises to new heights. Without doubt the form No.8 in South Africa.
7 - Wikus van Heerden (Bulls):
It has been a tough season in Pretoria, for all, but as they say: 'The cream always rises to the
top'.
6 - Adam Thomson (Highlanders):
He is growing into the role as the Highlanders' new blindside flank and having a fantastic debut season. We are going to hear and see a lot more of him in years to come.
5 - Andries Bekker (Stormers):
People can now stop calling him 'the son of former Province star Hennie Bekker' or 'one of the most promising locks' in South Africa. He has arrived in all his glory and deserves a look-in at the Springbok team ... he IS Andries Bekker!
4 - Brad Thorn (Crusaders):
It was not really a surprise to see the New Zealand Rugby Union sign him up for another couple of years. Despite being at the ripe old age of 33, he is outplaying many players in their mid 20s.
3 - Greg Somerville (Crusaders):
He remains a rock in any teams he plays in, going about his business like a true professional. His workrate is also pretty
impressive.
2 - Schalk Brits (Stormers):
This was a tough call between two really great hookers, but we eventually went for the man from Cape Town.
1 - Brian Mujati (Stormers):
The ease with which he shifted from his regular position as a tighthead to wear the No.1 on his back showed his true class.
Individual selections for Week 12:
Phil Coetzer XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Ricky January, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Ben Franks.
Steve Farrell XV: 15 Conrad Jantjies, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Howard Kahn XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Brian Mujati.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Brian Mujati.
Previous selections:
Team of the Week - Round 11: 15 Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), 12 Tom Carter (Waratahs), 11 Sireli Naqelevuki (Stormers), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), 8 Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Daniel Vickerman (Waratahs), 3 Brian Mujati (Stormers), 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (Stormers), 1 Ben May (Chiefs).
Team of the Week - Round 10: 15 Zane Kirchner (Bulls), 14 Hosea Gear (Hurricanes), 13 Rob Horne (Waratahs), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Sireli Naqelevuki (Stormers), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Ricky Januarie (Stormers), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Francois Louw (Stormers), 6 Liam Messam (Chiefs), 5 Andries Bekker (Stormers), 4 Toby Lynn (Chiefs), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Schalk Brits (Stormers), 1 Simms Davison (Chiefs).
Team of the Week - Round Nine: 15 Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), 14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 11 Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), 10 Peter Grant (Stormers), 9 Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Phil Waugh (Waratahs), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Daniel Vickerman (Waratahs), 4 Hoani MacDonald (Highlanders), 3 Brian Mujati (Stormers), 2 Andrew Hore (Hurricanes), 1 John Schwalger (Hurricanes).
Team of the Week - Round Eight: 15 Stefan Terblanche (Sharks), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), 12 Meyer Bosman (Cheetahs), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Piri Weepu (Hurricanes), 8 Duanne Vermeulen (Cheetahs), 7 George Smith (Brumbies), 6 Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), 5 Barend Pieterse (Cheetahs), 4 Bakkies Botha (Bulls), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders).
Team of the Week - Round Seven: 15 Conrad Jantjes (Stormers), 14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Bryan Habana (Bulls), 10 Peter Grant (Stormers), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Wikus van Heerden (Bulls), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Danie Rossouw (Bulls), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Ben Franks (Crusaders).
Team of the Week - Round Six: 15 Chris Latham (Reds), 14 Lelia Masaga (Chiefs), 13 Ryan Cross (Western Force), 12 Walter Venter (Lions), 11 Peter Hynes (Reds), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Brendon Leonard (Chiefs), 8 Joe van Niekerk (Lions), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Daniel Vickerman (Waratahs), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 John Afoa (Blues), 2 Corey Flynn (Crusaders), 1 Ben Franks (Crusaders).
Team of the Week - Round Five: 15 Chris Latham (Reds), 14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Stormers), 13 Casey Laulala (Crusaders), 12 Jean de Villiers (Stormers), 11 Drew Mitchell (Western Force), 10 Matt Giteau (Western Force), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 Chris Masoe (Hurricanes), 6 Schalk Burger (Stormers), 5 Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 BJ Botha (Sharks), 2 Andrew Hore (Hurricanes), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week - Round Four: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Scott Staniforth (Western Force), 13 Ryan Cross (Western Force), 12 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 11 Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), 10 Frederic Michalak (Sharks), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 8 Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), 7 David Pocock (Western Force), 6 Keegan Daniel (Sharks), 5 Johann Muller (Sharks), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), 1 Jamie Mackintosh (Highlanders)
Team of the Week - Round Three: 15 Isa Nacewa (Blues), 14 Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Benson Stanley (Blues), 11 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 10 Stephen Donald (Chiefs), 9 Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), 8 Rodney So'oialo (Hurricanes), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Heinrich Brüssow (Cheetahs), 5 Johann Muller (Sharks), 4 Brad Thorn (Crusaders), 3 Campbell Johnstone (Crusaders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Heinke van der Merwe (Lions).
Team of the Week - Round Two: 15 Francois Steyn (Sharks), 14 Kade Poki (Crusaders), 13 Isaia Toeava (Blues), 12 Stephen Brett (Crusaders), 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Chiefs), 10 Nick Evans (Blues), 9 Jano Vermaak (Lions), 8 Nick Williams (Blues), 7 Richie McCaw (Crusaders), 6 Jerome Kaino (Blues), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Kurtis Haiu (Blues), 3 Greg Somerville (Crusaders), 2 Keven Mealamu (Blues), 1 Tony Woodcock (Blues).
Team of the Week Round One: 15 Leon MacDonald (Crusaders), 14 Digby Ioane (Reds), 13 Ice Toeava (Blues), 12 Bradley Barritt (Sharks), 11 Joe Rokocoko (Blues), 10 Nick Evans (Blues), 9 Fourie du Preez (Bulls), 8 Mose Tuiali'i (Crusaders), 7 Franco van der Merwe (Lions), 6 Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), 5 Troy Flavell (Blues), 4 Johann Ackermann (Sharks), 3 Brian Mujati (Stormers), 2 Tiaan Liebenberg (Stormers), 1 Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks).
