Following the first round of Rugby Championship action, we already have a good idea of who we should consider the favourites. Much like last year, it’s New Zealand and South Africa leading the pack, as both teams picked up healthy victories over the weekend, incidentally by extremely similar margins.

The Springboks were the first to put a win in their pocket, brushing aside an underperforming Wallabies outfit 43-12 in Pretoria.

The dire nature of the loss for Australia left a sour taste in head coach Eddie Jones’ mouth, as he watched his side capitulate in his first game in charge since rejoining.

That result was matched by the All Blacks hours later, as they manufactured a breathtaking first half display against Argentina to help them run out eventual 41-12 winners in Mendoza.

Unsurprisingly given the two results, many of the star performers from the opening round were from either New Zealand or South Africa, which is why they also dominate our Rugby Championship team of the week.

1. Steven Kitshoff (SA) 

Just when you think Steven Kitshoff has reached his ceiling, he takes to the field and puts in another powerhouse performance like he did against the Wallabies, terrorising them at scrum time, so that the contest only ever favoured the Springboks.

2. Bongi Mbonambi (SA)

It’s a well-known fact that the South Africa set piece is a well-oiled machine and much of that has to do with the interventions of Bongi Mbonambi, who ate the Wallabies alive at scrum time and in the lineout. The 32-year-old was in imperious form throughout the contest, and showed off his silkier side when setting up Kurt-Lee Arendse’s second try.

3. Frans Malherbe (SA)

Frans Malherbe was simply too hot for Australia to handle. Like Kitshoff and Mbonambi, Malherbe is an expert scrummager and is rarely made to break a sweat when taking on a rival prop. The sheer speed with which the Australia scrum crumbled was a testament to Malherbe’s class.

4. Scott Barrett (NZ)

Scott Barrett is not the flashiest second row in international rugby but he’s definitely one of the most well-rounded. In the course of Saturday’s contest he made nine tackles, played a pivotal role in the lineout, was a menace at the breakdown and still had time to exhibit some quick handling out wide.

5. Marvin Orie (SA)

This was a real statement performance from Marvin Orie, who is fighting for a spot in the most competitive second row unit in all of international rugby. He was physically dominant but really made a name for himself in the lineout, where his handling was showstopping. 

6. Marco van Staden (SA) 

The Springboks have an embarrassment of riches in the back row which is probably why Marco van Staden’s name is not the first to spring to mind when talking about the position. However, against Australia he made everyone take notice, dominating physically in both defence and attack.

7. Sam Cane (NZ)

If we cast aside the tripping up of a pitch invader, Sam Cane had a stormer in Argentina. The All Blacks captain delivered some huge hits throughout the course of the content, accruing a team high total of 15 tackles made. His thunderbolt hit on Sebastian Cancelliere was the best of the bunch, folding the winger in half.

9. Cobus Reinach (SA)

In the absence of Faf de Klerk, Cobus Reinach stepped up to the mark and once again demonstrated why he might just be the best attacking scrum-half in the game. The pace at which he delivered the ball from the ruck was impressive but it was his off-the-cuff antics which spurred the Springbok attack, especially in the early stages.

10. Damian McKenzie (NZ)

It’s been a while since we last saw Damian McKenzie representing the All Blacks but it’s been worth the wait. The undersized fly-half was at times unplayable over the weekend, assisting tries for fun with perfectly times passes and elaborate running. He spent the final 20 minutes at fullback, demonstrating an added layer of versatility which he also offers.

11. Kurt-Lee Arendse (SA)

Kurt-Lee Arendse scores tries. It’s as simple as that. On Saturday he bagged a hat-trick and made the Wallabies look amateurish all evening, managing at one point to step past three onrushing defenders, with little space to work with in the left corner, to score his third of the game.

12. Jordie Barrett (NZ)

Jordie Barrett is not your typical stocky framed inside centre but he more than makes do. Against Argentina he ran riot, setting up an attacking platform for his teammates to spring off before scoring a try and smashing Matias Moroni into touch to prevent another.

13. Rieko Ioane (NZ)

If Jordie was the figurehead of the All Blacks midfield, Rieko Ioane was the perfect sidekick, playing off his centre partner with telepathic ease. There are few players capable of hitting a line as cleanly as Ioane, as Los Pumas found out when the outside centre beat three defenders on his way to scoring.

14. Marika Koroibete (AUS)

It was a horrible opening weekend for Australia, but amidst all the anguish winger Marika Koroibete put in a respectable display. Not only did he score the opening try of the match, but he also fought tooth and nail to minimise the Springbok risk and always looked threatening with ball in hand.

15. Beauden Barrett (NZ)

Yes, all three Barrett brothers have made this list and for good reason - they were all outstanding over the weekend. While Beauden was not on the same level as Jordie, he still managed to score a try, set up his brother for another and use his placekicking to mount the pressure on the Argentina back three.