After a fairly predictable opening round of the Rugby Championship, with the All Blacks blowing away the Wallabies in the second half in Sydney and the Springboks proving too good for the Pumas in Durban, we name our team of the round with a few old favourites and some new stars.
A classy performance from the custodian, brilliant break beating Lukhan Tui to create the first try late in first half, and enormous attacking presence when shifted to right wing.
Maybe not at his best in Super Rugby but repaid the faith of Steve Hansen with a superb performance. One on one strip on Marika Koroibete set up one try and he scored two of his own late on. Game high 175 metres from 14 runs.
Finally given his chance after another superb Super Rugby campaign. Led in metres carried (142) and team tackles (11 no misses). Finished beautiful long-range try and some strong defence.
Came off the bench for Ryan Crotty in the 12th minute but still the best No12 on show, slotted in neatly in the unfamiliar position with some excellent link play and tough defence.
Impeccable finishing, and showed great awareness with some important tackles. Growing in confidence every game and notched up another two tries. Just edges wing partner Makazole Mapimpi.
Write him off at your peril. Slow start but grew into the game, great individual skill to toe the ball ahead three times and shield the ball from Will Genia to score.
Superb performance from the livewire scrumhalf who is at the heart of most good things the Boks do. Three try assists plus scored his own five-pointer in the second half.
First test of the year but you wouldn’t have known it. Carried well with seven runs for 21 metres, defended well, three lineout wins and a good offload for team’s all-important first try.
Wallabies best. Twenty-one tackles and pounced on a ball at the back of the ruck, leading to a break. Made two breakdown steals and even earned plaudits for checking in injured Ryan Crotty.
Impressive in a beaten side. Following on his strong Super Rugby form, made 36 metres from five runs with one tackle bust and also crossed for a first half try.
Returning from nine months out of Test rugby but you would never have known it with a match high 13 runs for 72 metres and six tackle busts. Strong at the lineout, immediately made presence felt.
Breathtaking. One month longer out of Test rugby than Etzebeth but man of the match in Sydney. Won opening penalty, plenty of lineout steals and even a try, after selling Bernard Foley a dummy.
Won an early penalty against Tom Robertson that set the tone for a dismantling of the Wallabies scrum, solid in defence making seven tackles without a miss.
Some wayward lineout throws but a powerful performance from the Bok No2 as usual, seven runs for 34 metres, three tackle busts, one off-load and one line break assist.
Solid at the set piece and worked hard in the loose with 10 runs for 30 metres, two offloads and a tackle bust. Strong presence at the breakdown with some powerful cleanouts.
