Top performing South Africans in France

With the mass influx of South Africans players to France, we have a look at what a Springbok team would look like if we picked the in-form players solely from the European Nation. 

To highlight the quality of South African players in France the likes of  Juandre Kruger, Willem Alberts, Juan Smith, Morne Steyn, Wiaan Liebenberg, Meyer Bosman, Heinke van der Merwe,  Craig Burden, Flip van der Merwe, Morne Steyn and more were all left out of our 23. 

 

1. Steven Kitshoff (Union Bordeaux Begles)

 Kitshoff has enjoyed another good season in France coming up against some of the best props in the world and holding his own.

Bordeaux has ended the season in the bottom half of the log but Kitshoff has been a solid performer for the Top 14 side.

2.  Jody Jenneker (Castres Olympique)

An electrify hooker has been an exceptional performer for Castres this season scoring 5 tries this season, helping his side to a playoff position.   

3. Marcel van der Merwe (RC Toulon)

The former Bulls tighthead has been his usual strong self in scrums throughout the season and has even up his ball handling skills. 

 

 4. Jacques du Plessis (Montpellier)

Another former Bull makes the list at lock, du Plessis has been at the heart of the Montpellier's pack and has dominated contact through the competition. 

 5. Jandre Marais (Union Bordeaux Begles) 

Former Sharks Lock Jandre Marais has had an inspired season with Bordeaux as he led the Bordeaux pack at line-out time and put in some real workmen like performances.  

 6. Duane Vermeulen (RC Toulon) (captain)

 Vermeulen finds himself on the side of the scrum in our line-up and the former Stormers captain also leads the side.  

 The springbok no.8 was ridiculed last year over his fitness, but he returned to the Toulon set up a renewed man. 

He has gone from strength to strength with the side from the South of France and could be the Springbok captain in June.

 

7. Jono Ross (Stade Francais) 

 Yet another former Bulls player makes it into our pack with Jono Ross taking the 7 jumper. 

The Sale Sharks-bound loose forward has developed his game in Paris and has been used at flank and no.8, in the absence of Sergio Parisse. 

 

 8. Pierre Spies (Montpellier)

Spies has had another big season in France despite being used mostly off the bench by Jake White. 

The former Bulls captained has scored 3 tries and has been a rock in the Montpellier defence. 

 9. Enrico "RIcky" Januarie (La Rochelle)

Age is just a number for former Springbok Ricky Januarie.  

The 35-year-old scrum-half has been in fantastic form for La Rochelle this season, helping his side to the top of the log. 

He has scored 2 tries this season and has dictated the La Rochelle team excellently throughout the whole season.

 10. Willie Du Plessis (Montpellier)

Willie du Plessis takes the position that most would expect Morne Steyn or Demetre Catrakalis to fill. 

The former Cheetahs 10 has been one of the best flyhalves in the competition and has brought a real X factor to Jake White's side.

The 27-year-old has been involved in many brilliant tries but we picked our top 2:

11. Bryan Habana (RC Toulon)

What would a Springbok team be without the legend himself?

Habana was at his best for Toulon this season scoring 6 tries. 

The winger was consistently good throughout the season as Toulon made their way to 4th in the overall standings.  

 

 12. Frans Steyn (Montpellier)

Steyn had another big season in France under the man that handed him his Springbok debut in 2011. 

Playing the majority of his rugby at 12 Steyn has been as abrasive as ever and a dominant figure in the Montpellier side. 

13. Paul Jordaan (La Rochelle)

The former Sharks centre has been fantastic in the black and yellow of La Rochelle this season.

The 25-year-old scored 2 tries in the Top 14, helping his side to finish on top of the table and played a key role in his side Challenge Cup campaign. 

 14. Sean Robinson (Racing 92/ Colomiers)

Other former Shark makes the line-up with outside back Sean Robinson claiming the 14 jersey. 

Robinson started the season off at Racing 92 and spent some time on loan at Colomiers. 

 

 15. Gio Aplon (Grenoble)

The pocket rocket that is Gio Aplon completes the starting XV. Since his return from injury, the former Stormers full-back has been in fine form for Grenoble scoring 7 tries this season.

 

The bench: 

16. Bismark Du Plessis (Montpellier)

17. Janie du Plessis (Montpellier)

  

18. Guthro Steenkamp (Toulouse)

19. Paul Willemse (Montpellier)

 

20. Deon Fourie (Lyon)

21. James Robert Hall (Oyonnax)

22. Demetri Catrakillis (Montpellier)

23. Robert Ebersohn (Castres)

COACH: Jake White