Dream Team: Nic Groom – Northampton scrum-half

1. Steven Kitshoff – We started at the same time at the Stormers and he’s got a great work rate. He’s very tough but he’s also got great skills with a good turn of pace. Doing well at Bordeaux now.
2. Dane Coles – He’s in a league of his own when it comes to hookers. He has X-factor and can do things many players in other positions can’t do.
3. Frans Malherbe – A beast in defence but,   just as important, he is great value off the field too. A shoe-in for a dream team really. The whole round package.
4. Courtney Lawes – Great player who gets through a lot of work. Courtney is very tough and he always keeps going thanks to his great engine.
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit – Still only 24 but what an incredible athlete already. He reads the game really well and he’s like a genius at the lineout winning you ball for fun.
6. Duane Vermeulen – I know he plays at No.8 but he can be just as good on the flank. Just a beast who carries through brick walls for fun.
7. Schalk Burger – I played a lot of games with him back at the Stormers and it’s crazy how good a rugby rugby player he is.
8. Louis Picamoles – I have never played with someone who has such a full bag of tricks. You never know what to expect when this big Frenchman carries the ball.
9. Aaron Smith – His all-round game is just something else. I played against him and every time I was really impressed about how good he is. Top guy off the field too.
10. Demetri Catrakilis – I could pick Dan Carter for obvious reason but I’ll stick my mate Demetri in there. He’s a winner and never misses a kick at goal. Can’twait to see him at Quins next season.
11. George North – The big Welshman is proper rugby player. Not only is he big and fast he also has a good understanding of the game.
12. Sonny Bill Williams – I came across him a few times in Super Rugby and he’s simply impossible to stop. A freak who always finds a way to offload in the tackle and keep the ball alive.
13. Jaque Fourie – The former Springbok was big, fast and very skilful. He played for the Stormers for many years and he was very good in defence.
14. Bryan Habana – One of the world’s best wingers over the years. A work horse who’s always there when you need to finish a try.
15. Gio Aplon – If you’ve watched highlights of him in Grenoble you’d have seen how incredible his feet are. He’s also a great bloke.