Six South Africans have been included in a Vodacom Super Rugby Team of the Decade based on best individual season by position.
The team has six players each from South African and New Zealand teams and three from Australian teams.
The six South Africa players – Lizo Gqoboka (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Lions), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), Lood de Jager (Bulls), Jaco Kriel (Lions) and Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks) – are all forwards.
Three of them were part of Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup success, while the other three have been standout performers for their particular teams.
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Gqoboka (in his 2019 season) gained 284 metres, over 100 more than any other prop forward, as well as beating 18 defenders, making 121 tackles and scoring two tries.
Marx (for his 2019 season) made more carries (151), gained more metres (505), made more clean breaks (16) and won more turnovers (17) than any other hooker last year, as well as bagging three tries for the campaign.
Du Toit (in his 2016 season) won more total lineouts in the 2016 campaign than any player (86, including 14 steals), he also made 14 offloads, beat 22 defenders and made 132 tackles.
De Jager (for his 2018 season) won 58 lineouts on his team’s throw –joint-third most of any player – as well as making 108 tackles, stealing an additional 14 lineouts and beating 20 defenders.
Kriel (in his 2017 season) scored the second-most tries (eight) among forwards in the 2017 season (only Marx scored more), he also won 22 turnovers, made 114 tackles and beat 43 defenders that campaign.
Du Preez (for his 2018 season) made 31 offloads – four more than any other player – as well as beating 31 defenders, making 101 tackles and crossing for three tries.
SUPER RUGBY TEAM OF THE DECADE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL POSITION – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton-Liebert Brown, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 George Bridge, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, Malcolm Marx, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
