Super Rugby Form XV

As the round-robin stage of Super Rugby nears its end, it's time to have a look at which players have stood up and performed the best in their respective position. The rules for selection are that a player will be considered for the position in which he has appeared this season and not where he could possibly fit. That will eradicate the chance of putting Bismarck at centre or Francois Steyn at prop much to all of your disappointment I'm sure.

Looshead Prop: Scott Sio and Pek Cowan have been solid for the Brumbies and Force, respectively as has Wyatt Crockett for the 'Saders but my pick here goes to the Beast. Tendai has been mightily impressive this year in the scrum and in the loose and has sometimes even tried to get across the advantage line rather than just fall over when he gets there.

Hooker: Dane Coles and Adriaan Strauss pop up as contenders but neither have had consistently stellar years in 2014. Unfortunately for any perception of bias people may hold for me, the winner just has to be Bismarck du Plessis. Sure he is abrasive and a little petulant at times but he is the best hooker in the world and has been in this year's Super Rugby competition.

Tighthead Prop:  Pat Cilliers. Before you click away, I am joking. Charlie Faumuina has been top for the Blues but Kieran Longbottom has been a quiet and effective performer for what has been a delightful season for the Force. They aren't coming last.

Locks: There have been a number of exciting new bean poles in Super Rugby this year with Stephan Lewies and Patrick Tuipolotu both earning international call-ups. Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retalick have been great and Will Skelton has added serious muscle to the 'Tahs but it's his team mate good old rumbling tumbling doesn't usually do much of anything Kane Douglas and fellow Aussie, Luke Jones of the Rebels who get my picks.

Flanks: There has been no shortage of top performing loosies this season with the likes of Lappies Labuschagne, Faifili Levave and Peter Saili putting in good shifts for their teams at blind side but my number 6 (blindside flank for the rest of the world except South Africa bizarrely) is the much-maligned Dave Dennis of the Waratahs. On the openside it just has to be Michael Hooper. Jack Lam has stepped up in the face of the challenge that is Ardie Savea and Jaco Kriel and Heinrich Brussow have been real menschen but Hooper has been the best of the lot.

Number Eight: If it weren't for injury-enforced absence, Kieran Read would have this spot nailed but Jerome Kaino has been nothing short of impossible to deal with since his return for the Blues. JK is a tremendous athlete and is looking good to reclaim his starting All Black spot, although he will probably revert to the side of the scrum. He is to play Bane is the next batman movie.

Scrumhalf: Cobus Reinach has been great for the Sharks and will be disappointed to have been overlooked by Heyneke Meyer. Aaron Smith has been good for the Highlanders as has Nic White for the Brumbies but my pick goes to new boy Faf de Klerk. He has shown mighty enthusiasm and quality for the Lions this year and he looks like Nico Rosberg.

Flyhalf: Another Lion, Marnitz Boshoff arrived with a real bang this season and has taken over Morne Steyn's role as the drop-kicking bitch. Colin Slade has played well but the fight is between Beauden Barrett and Bernard Foley. Barrett takes it over the Foley for me as Beauden has offered more of a rounded game.

Centres: I'm quite certain that I am not the only one who has had Damian de Allende and Malakai Fekitoa in his fantasy side for the majority of the season and although their inclusion may have been initially due to cost, they have earned their spots with brilliant performances both deserving of international call-ups. Honourable mentions include Ryan Crotty, Ma'a Nonu and Jan Serfontein. Oh and lest we forget Waylon Murray who is apparently at the Bulls.

Wings: Julian Savea is the number 11. No doubts there. Jonny McNichol has crossed over for a few good tries, Charles Piutau was looking deadly prior to injury, Willie le Roux has had a very good year and Lolagi Visinia has been exciting in recent weeks but my prize goes to Mr Tumnus himself: Richard Buckman for his tireless and fruitful performances for the Highlanders.

Fullback: This is tougher to call than a blind man having a dig at Quizup. If I were Steve Hansen, I'd just chuck Ben Smith on the wing but rules are rules and he has to compete with Israel Folau for the fullback spot. Issy has had his injuries which should rule him out but he has been truly indomitable when he has featured. Ben Smith is class and there are no doubts there but Folau is a phenom of Sonny-Bill's ilk and he takes the cake and eats it. Jason Woodward deserves a mention but unfortunately he is competing with the best.

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