We select a team of the best players from round four of the Rugby Championship after the Springboks finally won back the Freedom Cup from New Zealand and Argentina inflicted their biggest ever win over Australia.
Front rankers: Ox Nche (RSA), Codie Taylor (NZL) and Frans Malherbe (RSA)
Nche was at his destructive best for the Boks in the carry and at scrum time, while his tighthead partner Malherbe put Tamaiti Williams under all sorts of pressure early on. On a weekend that saw at least three hooker performances worthy of a spot on this list, Taylor is the man to get the nod in a stoic display in a losing cause in Cape Town. Special mentions to Pumas captain Julian Montoya who reached his 100th Test on the weekend, as well as the blockbusting Malcolm Marx.
Second row: Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje (both RSA)
Etzebeth nearly bagged a try in a solid outing against the side he so dearly loves to play, while Nortje continued his breakout international season with another tireless showing. Although the lineout was a big issue for the Boks in the first half, the second-rowers’ value in other areas sees them take up their places on this list.
Back row: Siya Kolisi (RSA), Wallace Sititi (NZL) and Juan Martin Gonzales (ARG)
Kolisi’s try-scoring performance with a broken nose helped his team clinch the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009, while Sititi deserves his selection for his valiant showing against the fearsome Bok back row. Gonzales’ stocks continue to rise, with the Saracens man as industrious as ever and scoring a well-taken try early in the second half in Sante Fe.
Half backs: Gonzalo Bertranou and Tomas Albornoz (both ARG)
Bertranou ran the show well for the Argentines, making 60 passes, 14 tackles and two turnovers on a busy and successful evening at the Elephant Graveyard. In just his second Test start, Alborno scored 18 points in a performance that also included some fine linebreaks and try-saving tackles.
Midfield: Damian de Allende (RSA) and Lucio Cinti (ARG)
De Allende was in inspired form in the Cape and bludgeoned the All Black defence time and again with his formidable ball-carrying to earn the Man of the Match prize. Although Cinti’s centre partner Santiago Chocobares deserves a shoutout, the 24-year-old’s 88 metres from 10 carries was all-important for Los Pumas.
Back three: Mateo Carreras (ARG), Cheslin Kolbe (RSA), and Juan Cruz Mallia (ARG)
The electric Carreras beat five defenders and made 100-plus running meters with ball in hand while fullback teammate Mallia helped himself to a brace of tries in a busy display from the back. Cheslin is practically a mainstay on these lists.
Round 4 Team of the Week
1. Ox Nche (RSA
2. Codie Taylor (NZL)
3. Frans Malherbe (RSA)
4. Eben Etzebeth (RSA)
5. Ruan Nortje (RSA)
6. Siya Kolisi (RSA)
7. Wallace Sititi (NZL)
8. Juan Martin Gonzales (ARG)
9. Gonzalo Bertranou (ARG)
10. Tomas Albornoz (ARG)
11. Mateo Carreras (ARG)
12. Damian de Allende (RSA)
13. Lucio Cinti (ARG)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)
15. Juan Cruz Mallia (ARG)
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