JON CARDINELLI picks a South African XV based on performances in round six of Super Rugby.
Only one South African team finished on the right side of the result this past weekend. The Stormers won at home, while the Bulls, Sharks and Lions lost on the road.
It shouldn’t surprise to see the Stormers dominating this week’s selection. The Cape franchise was particularly physical and accurate in the first half of the game against the Reds at Newlands.
Special mention must go to the likes of Jacques van Rooyen and Marvin Orie of the Lions, as the tourists produced a superior scrummaging and lineout display in Buenos Aires. Malcolm Marx came off the bench to lend the Lions some much-needed grunt at the collisions and breakdowns.
Meanwhile, in Christchurch, Travis Ismaiel stood out for for the Bulls in an otherwise disappointing defeat to the Crusaders.
Damian Willemse was the best South African flyhalf on show once again. The Stormers pivot caused the Reds defence all sorts of problems with his gainline surges as well as his pinpoint kicking game.
REVIEW: Stormers surge, Bulls hit bottom
SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 6)
15. George Whitehead (Stormers)
14. Travis Ismaiel (Bulls)
13. EW Viljoen (Stormers)
12. Damian de Allende (Stormers)
11. Raymond Rhule (Stormers)
10. Damian Willemse (Stormers)
9. Dewaldt Duvenage (Stormers)
8. Nizaam Carr (Stormers)
7. Cobus Wiese (Stormers)
6. Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
4. Marvin Orie (Lions)
3. Wilco Louw (Stormers)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Jacques van Rooyen (Lions)
Photo: Ryan Wilisky/BackpagePix
