Dream Team: Tinus du Plessis – London Scottish and Namibia flanker

1. Os du Randt – I played against him at Newlands in the lead up to the 2007 World Cup where we got hammered 105-13. Great experience and the only South African to have won two World Cups.
2. Rory Best – We gave Ireland a bit of a scare in the first game of the World Cup in 2007 and Rory was at hooker that day. A great leader and not surprised he’s now Ireland captain.
3. Owen Franks – He’s been around for a while  and he epitomises the professional era. Very good at the set-piece but just as good ball in hand around the park and in defence.
4. Bakkies Botha – I faced him twice and he’s a tough player. You know you’re in for a hard day when he’s playing. A real bruiser.
5. Sam Whitelock – A great guy to run the lineout and very good around the field with great feet and handling skills. So much so that he can play in the back-row.
6. Jerome Kaino – A big and tough guy to play against at the last World Cup. But off the field he’s a super nice bloke and I had a great chat with him.
7. Jacques Burger – I have to put in my captain. I’ve known him for 15 years and we came through the ranks together making our debuts in 2006 and played in three World Cups together.
8. Renaldo Bothma – Brilliant ball in hand and very good defender too. Sebastien Chabal and Imanol Harinordoquy deserve a mention but Renaldo is one for the future. Doing great in Super Rugby with the Bulls.
9. Francois Hougaard – He’s like another back-row on the field tackling anyone running down his channel. Can also play on the wing so he can beat you with his feet as well as his bullet pass.
10. Ronan O’Gara – Not the flashiest of players but very good tactically and kicks his goals. When it’s tough he would get you on the front foot.
11. Julian Savea – Just get the ball as quickly as possible to him and he’ll get you over the gainline. He doesn’t need a lot of space to score either.
12. Jean de Villiers – A general who organises the midfield. Good ball distributor and another great leader.
13. Brian O’Driscoll – He never seemed to do anything wrong. He always had something special about him and could create stuff out of nothing.
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder – The new kid on the block. He’s small but he’s incredibly quick and scores lots of tries. Great balance with Savea on the other wing.
15. Frans Steyn – He would complement Ronan well being a good ball carrier but also being able to kick the ball a mile. Test rugby is so close now so his long boot would be very valuable.