Team of the Week: A tinge of green

It is all set for the big showdown between New Zealand and South Africa in Auckland on Saturday, but the Springboks claimed an early advantage.

There is a tinge more Green and Gold in our famous weekly selection, than there is black.

It was a selection that, in some positions, caused considerable debate.

In one position we even have two players from the same team.

In the end the Boks have eight players in our starting XV, while the All Blacks have six – with one Argentinean.

The back-up squad is also edged by the Boks.

There are eight South Africans bubbling under, six Kiwis and two Pumas.

Seven players return from last week – fullback Israel Dagg (New Zealand), centre Conrad Smith (New Zealand), flyhalf Morné Steyn (South Africa), scrumhalf Aaron Smith (New Zealand), No.8 Kieran Read (New Zealand), flank Steven Luatua (New Zealand) and lock Sam Whitelock (New Zealand).

Team of the Week – Round Three:

15 – Israel Dagg (New Zealand):

He is well ahead of the rest in a distant chasing the pack.

Bubbling under: Zane Kirchner (South Africa)

14 – Willie le Roux (South Africa):

Fullback or wing, he is always a threat.

Bubbling under: Ben Smith (New Zealand)

13 – Conrad Smith (New Zealand):

Still one of the most skilful midfield players, who depends on brains rather than brawn to get the job done.

Bubbling under: JJ Engelbrecht (South Africa)

12 – Jean de Villiers (South Africa):

The Springbok captain is showing that he matures like a good red wine.

Bubbling under: Francis Saili (New Zealand)

11 – Bryan Habana (South Africa):

Not bad for a guy who flew to France, only to get 10 minutes of game time and then rejoined the Boks five days ahead of the Brisbane encounter.

Bubbling under: Julian Savea (New Zealand)

10 – Morné Steyn (South Africa):

Probably the position that elicited the most debate. While Carter made one searing break, Steyn made more than double the number of tackles – supposedly a weakness.

Bubbling under: Dan Carter (New Zealand)

9 – Aaron Smith (New Zealand):

With such exceptional basics he only needs to break once a game to make a real impact.

Bubbling under: Ruan Pienaar (South Africa)

8 – Kieran Read (New Zealand):

Another tough call, but this time the All Black got the nod – just – based on his additional work in the line-outs.

Bubbling under: Duane Vermeulen (South Africa)

7 – Willem Alberts (South Africa):

He may be seen as a powerful ball carrier, but it is on defence where he does his most impressive work.

Bubbling under: Pablo Matera (Argentina)

6 – Steven Luatua (New Zealand):

Without doubt the find of the year.

Bubbling under: Francois Louw (South Africa)

5 – Sam Whitelock (New Zealand):

The rock in the All Black pack.

Bubbling under: Juandre Kruger (South Africa)

4 – Eben Etzebeth (South Africa):

How the Aussies wished they had a player with his physical attributes and drive.

Bubbling under: Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

3 – Juan Figallo (Argentina):

Not every day that a New Zealand scrum is put under so much pressure.

Bubbling under: Jannie du Plessis (South Africa)

2 – Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa):

South Africa have, without doubt, the two best hookers in the world.

Bubbling under: Adriaan Strauss (South Africa)

1 – Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa):

The Beast is back to his best.

Bubbling under: Marcos Ayerza (Argentina )

Our individual selections!

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Willie Le Roux, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Quintin van Jaarsveld XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Michael de Vries XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Steven Luatua, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Marcos Ayerza.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.

Previous selections!

Team of the Week – Round Two: 15 Israel Dagg (New Zealand), 14 Ben Smith (New Zealand), 13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand), 12 Christian Leali'ifano (Australia), 11 Julian Savea (New Zealand), 10 Morné Steyn (South Africa), 9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand), 8 Kieran Read (New Zealand), 7 Michael Hooper (Australia), 6 Steven Luatua (New Zealand), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Brodie Retallick (New Zealand), 3 Owen Franks (New Zealand), 2 Adriaan Strauss (South Africa), 1 Tony Woodcock (New Zealand).

Team of the Week – Round One: 15 Willie le Roux (South Africa), 14 Ben Smith (New Zealand), 13 Conrad Smith (New Zealand), 12 Jean de Villiers (South Africa), 11 Bryan Habana (South Africa), 10 Aaron Cruden (New Zealand), 9 Fourie du Preez (South Africa), 8 Kieran read (New Zealand), 7 Willem Alberts (South Africa), 6 Francois Louw (South Africa), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 3 Jannie du Plessis (South Africa), 2 Adriaan Strauss (South Africa), 1 James Slipper (Australia).