Former Sharks and Biarritz prop Eduard Coetzee picks a team of the best he has played alongside and against for SA Rugby magazine.

15 Christian Cullen

He was a counter-attacking threat and, with Jonah Lomu close by, he caused countless headaches for opposing teams.

14 Jonah Lomu

My first Super Rugby match was against the Hurricanes in Durban. I remember wondering how I would tackle him if he ran straight at me. A true legend.

13 Brian O’Driscoll

Electrifying and a huge threat on attack, his presence added that extra 15% to any team he played for.

12 Damien Traille

He had wonderful vision and could play as a back-up at 10. Also had a big boot.

11 Takudzwa Ngwenya

He scored a memorable try when he rounded Bryan Habana in the 2007 RWC and also scored a majestic try for us against the Ospreys in the European Cup semi-finals in 2010 when he ran 90m and outsprinted Shane Williams.

10 Butch James

He had the skills of a kicking flyhalf but could get the backline going and was solid on defence. Also a great human being.

9 Dimitri Yachvili

He had huge big-match temperament. He was a great kicker and when he was on top of his game, his team was tough to beat.

8 Sergio Parisse

A classic No 8. Much like Census Johnston, he would have probably been the best in the world had he played for a tier-one country.

7 Imanol Harinordoquy

A wonderful player and great lineout forward. The Basque Warrior.

6 Schalk Burger

He never stopped. He was tough on the field and is a great gentleman off it.

5 Bakkies Botha

The only player I knew that could keep a whole opposition pack busy.

4 Jerome Thion

His nickname was ‘Machine’ and he was a great player, having captained France. A really strong man who was useful in the scrum.

3 Census Johnston

An immense human being. He was strong with great ball skills. If he played for a tier-one nation, I believe he would have been a world great.

2 John Smit (c)

He was my captain at the U18 Craven Week in 1996, again when we won the Junior World Championships in 1999 and at the Sharks. A natural leader and great scrummager.

1 Sylvain Marconnet

He had all the tricks in the book. A solid scrummager and he niggled you throughout an entire game.