Southern Hemisphere XV in England

As the Premiership heads into the knockout stages of the competition and the June Internationals fast approach, we take a look at what a Southern Hemisphere XV would look like if we only considered the players from the Premiership or the Championship.

 

1. Ben Franks - London Irish (New Zealand)

Franks is one of the only players from the Championship to make the side, his solid scrummaging and work rate around the park meant that we could not exclude the ex-All Black.

 

2. Schalk Brits - Saracens (South Africa)

Despite sitting on the bench the majority of the season, Schalk Brits still sidesteps his way into the no.2 jersey.

The lively South African hooker has contributed immensely to the Saracens fantastic season and has been a true warrior in the red jersey. 

3. Vincent Koch - Saracens (South Africa)

Another South African playing for Saracens makes up our front row. 

Koch has combined well with his fellow front rowers at Saracens, forming one of the deadliest packs in Europe.

4. Jeremy Thrush - Gloucester Rugby (New Zealand)

The All Black lock has continued his fine form that saw him earn 12 caps for his country. 

Despite Gloucester's less than impressive season, the 1.98m tall lock has once again shown that he is a force to be reckoned with. 

5. James Horwill - Harlequins (Australia)

The former Wallaby captain has been a key factor in the Harlequins line-up securing the ball at the line-out and giving some real workman-like performances.

6. Michael Rhodes - Saracens (South Africa)

Rhodes has been a star turn at Saracens since arriving from the Stormers in 2015.

The aggressive flanker has been solid all season for Saracens and picked up the Saracens Player's Player of the Year Award.

7. Francois Louw - Bath Rugby (South Africa)

Louw has had another strong season with Bath and has also co-captained the side throughout the season.

The South African flanker has shown in class with some top draw performances during the season and earns the 7 jersey in the process.

8. Schalk Burger - Saracens (South Africa)

The ex-World Rugby Player of the Year had another solid season with Saracens, helping the side to a Champions Cup title. 

Whether he has come off the bench or started a match Burger has been consistent and still is still one of the most skillful loose forwards in the game. 

9. Kahn Fotuali'i - Bath (Samoa)

 

 The Samoan scrum-half impressed this season playing in 17 of Bath's 22 Premiership matches. The 35-year-old won 10 turnovers and maintained an 85% tackle success.   

The 35-year-old won 10 turnovers and maintained an 85% tackle success. He also picked up 9 try assists and made 13 offloads.

10. Nick Evans - Harlequins (New Zealand)

 

Evans finished his career off in style with the Harlequins scoring 115 points for the club, kicking just under 80% for the season. 

11.  Willie Le Roux - Wasps (South Africa)

Willie Le Roux has been impressive with Wasps this season and has complemented their attack style of rugby. 

12.  Jimmy Gopperth - Wasps (New Zealand)

The New Zealand flyhalf has been one of the best players in the Premiership this season, guiding his side to the top of the Premiership standings.

He has also won a host of awards including the Wasps Player's player of the Year, Wasps Supporters' Player of the Year and the Premiership Player of the Year Award to name a few.  

  

13. Marcelo Bosch - Saracens (Argentina)

The Argentine centre has been another veteran that has been in good form for Saracens this season, he has scored 6 tries from his 29 matches for the club

14. JP Pietersen - Leicester Tigers (South Africa)

Pietersen has provided Leicester with real stability and control on the wing.

He has scored only 3 tries this season but his work rate and defence have been crucial to Leicesters campaign.

15.  Kurtley Beale - Wasps (Australia)

Beale made his last season in England count, as he helped Wasps to the top of the table, carrying the ball over 1 000 metres, scoring 4 tries and collecting more than 20 clean breaks.

16. Ashley Johnson - Wasps (South Africa)

17. Nick Schonert - Worcester Warriors (South Africa)

 

18. John Afoa - Gloucester Rugby (New Zealand)

 

19. Don Armand - Exeter Chiefs (Zimbabwe) 

 

20. Marco Mama - Worcester Warriors (Zimbabwe)

 

21. Nic Groom - Northampton Saints (South Africa)

22. Johnny Leota - Sale Sharks (Samoa)

23. Robbie Fruean - Bath Rugby (New Zealand)

 

Notable mentions:

Peter Betham, Ben Tapuai, Alofa Alofa, Tim Swiel, George Pisi, Ken Pisi, Kyle Cooper, Vereniki Goneva, Sinoti Sinoti,  Wynand Oliver, Dewald Potgieter, Tusi Pisi Neil de Kock, Pat Cilliers, Willi Heinz, James Marshall, Nick Fenton-Wells, , Mark Reddish, Winston Stanley, Jeff Williams, Byron McGuigan, Francois Hougaard, Frank Halai, Sam Tuitupou