So the votes are in for your dream SANZAR XV of all-time, judged on their performances against the British & Irish Lions. Here we present the results from full-back down to loosehead with a head coach as well. As always there will be plenty of debate but the final votes have been cast and the decision is final.
In the No.15 it’s ‘The Rolls-Royce of Full-backs’ who gets the nod as Andre Joubert tops the votes, thanks to his performances in the 1997 tour.
Joubert’s two Test appearances against the Lions were in defeats but he did enough to warrant his place in the side alongside two flyers in the back row.
Bryan Habana lines up on one wing after scoring a crucial try for South Africa in the second Test in 2009. The Springboks were trailing 19-8 until his intervention in the 63rd minute – South Africa going on to clinch the 28-25 victory.
And on the other side is David Campese, whose blunder proved costly on the 1989 tour but whose pedigree cannot be questioned, ensuring the three SANZAR nations each provide a member of the back three.
In the centres it’s an all New Zealand partnership with Tana Umaga – who made an infamous contribution in the opening stages of the 2005 tour before leading the All Blacks to a thumping series win – joined by Frank Bunce, who scored tries in both of the Kiwis’ victories in 1993.
At fly-half is Dan Carter, a unanimous choice, after a flawless display in the third Test in 2005 where he scored 33 points in a 48-18 victory.
Just as unanimous was the choice of his half-back partner with Joost van der Westhuizen taking his place after featuring in all three Tests in 1997.
There are five New Zealanders in the pack with Sean Fitzpatrick and Carl Hayman taking their place in the front row.
Fitzpatrick led by example in the third and deciding Test in 1993 while Hayman was in dominating form in 2005.
They are joined by South Africa’s Os du Randt in the front row while Colin Meads, who played 11 Tests against the Lions, and Victor Matfield – a colossus in 2009 – make up an imposing second row.
Zinzan Brooke was the runaway winner at No.8, as was Michael Jones in the No.7 jersey while South African Ruben Kruger, who played in the 1997 tour, is at No.6.
Coaching the side is another Kiwi who has had the honour of also leading the British & Irish Lions – Graham Henry’s New Zealand side in 2005 were imperious and that has earned him this role.
Team in full:
15. Andre Joubert
14. Bryan Habana
13. Frank Bunce
12. Tana Umaga
11. David Campese
10. Dan Carter
9. Joost van der Westhuizen
1. Os du Randt
2. Sean Fitzpatrick
3. Carl Hayman
4. Victor Matfield
5. Colin Meads
6. Ruben Kruger
7. Michael Jones
8. Zinzan Brooke
Head coach: Graham Henry
