Rugby Championship Round One Team of the Week
After a thrilling opening round of the Rugby Championship, the dust has settled, and the standout performers from the weekend’s action have been identified. The opening matches saw Argentina secure a stunning upset over New Zealand, while South Africa delivered an impressive victory against the Wallabies in Brisbane. Unsurprisingly, Los Pumas and the Springboks dominate this week’s Team of the Week selection.
BBC Sport’s rugby union correspondent has compiled the best XV from the round one fixtures, highlighted by several exceptional individual displays.
Back Three
In the back three, Willie le Roux (South Africa) showcased his creative flair at fullback, while Mateo Carreras (Argentina) was a standout on the wing.
Centers
In the centers, Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand) made a significant impact, while Santiago Chocobares (Argentina) was a midfield maestro. On the opposite wing, Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa) scored a wonderful individual try.
Fly-half and Scrum-half
At fly-half, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa) delivered a composed and creative performance on his first start, just edging out the equally impressive Santiago Carreras (Argentina). Gonzalo Bertranou (Argentina) was the combative and slick-passing scrum-half.
Back Row
In the back row, the Argentina trio of Juan Martin Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, and Pablo Matera dominated proceedings, with Matera earning the accolade of Player of the Weekend. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) showcased his versatility, impressing at lock, while Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) was a colossal presence in the engine room. Completing the pack, Ox Nche (South Africa) stood out with his destructive scrummaging and effective play in the loose.
This Team of the Week reflects the excellence on display during the opening round of the Rugby Championship, with the Pumas and Springboks firmly establishing themselves as the form teams in the competition.
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