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I was thinking of a new idea, what is your conference XV? I am mostly focussed on the SA conference so will only give a SA Conference XV.
1. Dean Greyling (Bulls)
Has been massive this season and deserves his inclusion in the Bok squad. Still young but a serious contender for the prop position later on this decade in the Green.
2. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
No explanation needed. Best hooker in the country, possibly the best hooker in the world with Mealamu
3. Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)
With CJ van der Linde out, there is no real prop contending Jannie. Werner Kruger and WP Nel were good, but Jannie has more experience and the Sharks really missed him when he was out
4. Rynhardt Elstadt (Stormers)
The biggest surprise this season. A Cinderella story come true. Comes out of nowhere, surprises the world and keeps Anton van Zyl and Adriaan Fondse out of the line-up. Great partnership with Andries Bekker
5. Andries Bekker (Stormers)
Victor Matfield might have had the upper-hand when they played each other in Cape Town 2 weeks ago, but overall, Bekker has been outstanding. He is the true leader of the Stormers. Despite Schalk Burger being the captain on paper, Andries Bekker has shown rugby is not played on paper. He was the captain on the field
6. Keegan Daniel (Sharks)
Having played almost every match, Keegan Daniel has shown some skill, despite his lack of physical strength. He is far more consistent than Deon Stegmann and concedes almost no penalties.
7. Francois Louw (Stormers)
Is maybe the least visible player on the field with the Stormers but he is true class. Being a real threat on attack and more than decent on defence, he has shown more than Dewald Potgieter for instance, or Willem Alberts.
8. Duane Vermeulen (Stormers)
Okay, he got injured against the Cheetahs, but he has been true class so far and a serious option for the Bok squad at the World Cup. He has the strength of Spies, the versatility of Kankowski and is still young. Hate to admit it, but Vermeulen outclassed Kankowski twice this season
9. Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs)
top try-scorer this season, Sarel has been massive for the Cheetahs in their season. With wins over the Crusaders, Waratahs, Brumbies and scoring 4 tries against the Hurricanes, they have shown they can be deadly on attack. Sarel has been poor on defence, but his team-mates compensated that.
10. Patrick Lambie (Sharks)
I was going for Sias Ebersohn, who replaced Naas Olivier with verve this season. However, Patrick Lambie has been the missing link when the Sharks were off-form. Having played at full-back against the Bulls, he showed he can do more than play fly-half, despite that being his best position. His way of distributing the ball, having an eye for gaps and a solid boot for the kicks at goal, give him the edge over Morne Steyn.
11. Bjorn Basson (Bulls)
Moved to Pretoria after a successful season with Griquas, breaking the Currie Cup try scoring record, and has been his usual self. Scored plenty of tries, was good on attack and is a great chaser. Serious threat to Habana for the no. 11 Bok-jersey
12. Doppies La Grange (Lions)
I know, Jean de Villiers was good, but Doppies La Grange was even better. Being the captain of the Lions, he has shown great leadership with some good come-backs this season. If the Lions can build on guys like him, Taute, Strauss, Whiteley and Vermaak, great things are possible in Johannesburg
13. Robert Ebersohn (Cheetahs)
His twin-brother just fell short, but the Ebersohn-family can be proud. Robert did splendidly in the Cheetahs backline and partnering with Corne Uys, he was truly remarkable. In attack and defence he was very consistent
14. JP Pietersen (Sharks)
Has shown great potential for years and has bulked up. He is not the fragile, skinny runner he was in '07 when he was part of the Bok team that won the Webb Ellis Cup. He is strong, still fast and a very clever runner. His kicking is poor, but he is a winger, so I prefer a runner over a kicker (Not a Bulls fan haha)
15. Riaan Viljoen (Cheetahs)
Scoring a 65 meter dropgoal shows some guts and his play has been superb throughout the season. Running, kicking, place-kicking. All have been well. He is set to leave Griquas and if he doesn't move overseas, there will be a fierce battle to determine if he will move north, east of west.
Other notable players:
Warren Whiteley
Joshua Strauss
Jaco Taute
Gio Aplon
Jean de Villiers
Sias Ebersohn
Flip van der Merwe
Francois Hougaard
Jaqueline Fourie
Adriaan Strauss
1. Dean Greyling (Bulls)
Has been massive this season and deserves his inclusion in the Bok squad. Still young but a serious contender for the prop position later on this decade in the Green.
2. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
No explanation needed. Best hooker in the country, possibly the best hooker in the world with Mealamu
3. Jannie du Plessis (Sharks)
With CJ van der Linde out, there is no real prop contending Jannie. Werner Kruger and WP Nel were good, but Jannie has more experience and the Sharks really missed him when he was out
4. Rynhardt Elstadt (Stormers)
The biggest surprise this season. A Cinderella story come true. Comes out of nowhere, surprises the world and keeps Anton van Zyl and Adriaan Fondse out of the line-up. Great partnership with Andries Bekker
5. Andries Bekker (Stormers)
Victor Matfield might have had the upper-hand when they played each other in Cape Town 2 weeks ago, but overall, Bekker has been outstanding. He is the true leader of the Stormers. Despite Schalk Burger being the captain on paper, Andries Bekker has shown rugby is not played on paper. He was the captain on the field
6. Keegan Daniel (Sharks)
Having played almost every match, Keegan Daniel has shown some skill, despite his lack of physical strength. He is far more consistent than Deon Stegmann and concedes almost no penalties.
7. Francois Louw (Stormers)
Is maybe the least visible player on the field with the Stormers but he is true class. Being a real threat on attack and more than decent on defence, he has shown more than Dewald Potgieter for instance, or Willem Alberts.
8. Duane Vermeulen (Stormers)
Okay, he got injured against the Cheetahs, but he has been true class so far and a serious option for the Bok squad at the World Cup. He has the strength of Spies, the versatility of Kankowski and is still young. Hate to admit it, but Vermeulen outclassed Kankowski twice this season
9. Sarel Pretorius (Cheetahs)
top try-scorer this season, Sarel has been massive for the Cheetahs in their season. With wins over the Crusaders, Waratahs, Brumbies and scoring 4 tries against the Hurricanes, they have shown they can be deadly on attack. Sarel has been poor on defence, but his team-mates compensated that.
10. Patrick Lambie (Sharks)
I was going for Sias Ebersohn, who replaced Naas Olivier with verve this season. However, Patrick Lambie has been the missing link when the Sharks were off-form. Having played at full-back against the Bulls, he showed he can do more than play fly-half, despite that being his best position. His way of distributing the ball, having an eye for gaps and a solid boot for the kicks at goal, give him the edge over Morne Steyn.
11. Bjorn Basson (Bulls)
Moved to Pretoria after a successful season with Griquas, breaking the Currie Cup try scoring record, and has been his usual self. Scored plenty of tries, was good on attack and is a great chaser. Serious threat to Habana for the no. 11 Bok-jersey
12. Doppies La Grange (Lions)
I know, Jean de Villiers was good, but Doppies La Grange was even better. Being the captain of the Lions, he has shown great leadership with some good come-backs this season. If the Lions can build on guys like him, Taute, Strauss, Whiteley and Vermaak, great things are possible in Johannesburg
13. Robert Ebersohn (Cheetahs)
His twin-brother just fell short, but the Ebersohn-family can be proud. Robert did splendidly in the Cheetahs backline and partnering with Corne Uys, he was truly remarkable. In attack and defence he was very consistent
14. JP Pietersen (Sharks)
Has shown great potential for years and has bulked up. He is not the fragile, skinny runner he was in '07 when he was part of the Bok team that won the Webb Ellis Cup. He is strong, still fast and a very clever runner. His kicking is poor, but he is a winger, so I prefer a runner over a kicker (Not a Bulls fan haha)
15. Riaan Viljoen (Cheetahs)
Scoring a 65 meter dropgoal shows some guts and his play has been superb throughout the season. Running, kicking, place-kicking. All have been well. He is set to leave Griquas and if he doesn't move overseas, there will be a fierce battle to determine if he will move north, east of west.
Other notable players:
Warren Whiteley
Joshua Strauss
Jaco Taute
Gio Aplon
Jean de Villiers
Sias Ebersohn
Flip van der Merwe
Francois Hougaard
Jaqueline Fourie
Adriaan Strauss
