Rainbow Cup SA: Team of the Season

1. Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
2. Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls)
3. Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
4. Ruan Nortje (Bulls)
5. Marvin Orie (Lions)
6. Marco van Staden (Bulls)
7. Elrich Louw (Bulls)
8. Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)
9. Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)
10. Morné Steyn (Bulls)
11. Stravino Jacobs (Bulls)
12. Cornal Hendricks (Bulls)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
14. Edwill van der Merwe (Stormers)
15. Aphelele Fassi (Sharks)

Unsurprisingly the side consists of eight Bulls, with the Sharks providing four names, the Stormers two and the Lions one.

The front row sees the ever-consistent Steven Kitshoff grab the No 1 shirt, which will undoubtedly be his at the Boks too this season. The Stormers captain is a class act and seemingly never puts a foot wrong. Thomas du Toit also earns the tighthead berth after another strong campaign with the Sharks.

Bulls hooker Johan Grobbelaar waltzes into the side. The 23-year-old made the third-most tackles in the competition (65), won the most lineouts (also 65) and effected the second-most turnovers (five).

Ruan Nortje (Bulls) and Marvin Orie (Lions) were both very impressive for their respective sides, with Nortje particularly so. Orie is in the Bok squad again and could add to his three Test caps if injuries continue to hamper the first-choicers in the national set-up.

There’s an all-Bulls loose trio, though Pieter-Steph du Toit can feel hard done by. Leicester-bound Marco van Staden was as classy as ever, making the tournament’s most tackles (76) and turnovers (six) and the fifth-most carries (45). Elrigh Louw was ranked first for carries (59) and fifth for tackles (55), while big Duane’s all-round influence was as huge as ever.

Despite Sharks counterpart Sanele Nohamba earning a Springbok call up at his expense, Jaden Hendrikse was in great form for his team and deservedly cracks the nod at No 9. He made the second-most offloads (seven) in the competition.

The timeless Morné Steyn is at pivot after topping the points-scoring charts with 53, while teammate Cornal Hendricks is (obviously) in the midfield, partnered by Lukhanyo Am following the latter’s consistency along with completing the fourth-most turnovers (four) and offloads (five).

Stravino Jacobs (Bulls) and Edwill van der Merwe (Stormers) were very impressive for their respective sides with the former ranking first for clean breaks (11) and the latter third for defenders beaten (17). They are ones to look out for in the future.

Aphelele Fassi is at fullback having completed the most meters in the comp (398) and will surely become a Bok this year.