Cape Town - Australian website Fox Sports Lab has picked its Super Rugby team of the season with three South Africans making the starting XV.
Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff, Lions hooker Malcolm Marx and Bulls lock RG Snyman are the three South Africans included.
Of Kitshoff, the publication wrote: “The Springboks loosehead was in fine nick in his seventh season of Super Rugby. In addition to his excellent ball running, Kitshoff was a key component in one of the best performing scrums this season, helping force 22 penalties.”
Marx also received high praise: “(He) has established himself as the most formidable hooker in world rugby.”
Snyman, who made his Test debut against England in June, is described as having “had a breakout year in his third season of Super Rugby”.
Two more South Africans - Stormers prop Wilco Louw and Lions lock/flank Franco Mostert - were included on the bench.
Fox Sports Lab’s Super Rugby team of the season:
15 Israel Folau (Waratahs), 14 Waisake Naholo (Highlanders), 13 Rob Thompson (Highlanders), 12 Michael Little (Sunwolves), 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), 10 Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 9 Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8 Amanaki Mafi (Rebels), 7, Matt Todd (Crusaders), 6 Brad Shields (Hurricanes), 5 RG Snyman (Bulls), 4 Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3 Taniela Tupou (Reds), 2 Malcolm Marx (Lions), 1 Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
Substitutes: 16 Agustin Creevy (Jaguares), 17 Tom Robertson (Waratahs), 18 Wilco Louw (Stormers), 19 Franco Mostert (Lions), 20 Akira Ioane (Blues), 21 Bryn Hall (Crusaders), 22 Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), 23 Solomon Alaimalo (Chiefs)