JON CARDINELLI picks a form South African XV based on performances in round one of Super Rugby.

The Stormers were streets ahead of the Bulls in round one. The forwards dominated the set pieces and collisions, while the backs played their part in finishing as many as five try-scoring chances. 

The team below is stacked with performers from the Cape-based franchise. Pieter-Steph du Toit was the Stormers’ best player and Damian de Allende was another standout. The Stormers – and possibly the Springboks – will certainly miss De Allende in the coming months. The inside centre injured his ankle in the clash against the Bulls and is expected to be sidelined for a lengthy period.

Lions star Rohan Janse van Rensburg alternated between wing and centre in the match against the Cheetahs and made his abrasive presence felt in both positions. While the Sharks went down to the Reds in Brisbane, flanker Phillip van der Walt made an impressive 22 tackles. At Newlands, winger Jamba Ulengo was one of the few Bulls players to make a powerful statement on both attack and defence.

WATCH: Highlights of Stormers' 37-24 win against Bulls

SA FORM XV (ROUND 1)
15. SP Marais (Stormers)
14. Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions)
13. EW Viljoen (Stormers)
12. Damian de Allende (Stormers)
11. Jamba Ulengo (Bulls)
10. Jean-Luc du Plessis (Stormers)
9. Jano Vermaak (Stormers)
8. Nizaam Carr (Stormers)
7. Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
6. Phillip van der Walt (Sharks)
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
4. Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
3. Wilco Louw (Stormers)
2. Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers)
1. JC Janse van Rensburg (Stormers)

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images