A class apart: Springboks skipper John Smit © Getty Images

15. Frans Steyn (South Africa)
We already knew he could kick the leather off the ball but with three successful kicks from inside his own half against the All Blacks in Hamilton he cemented his reputation as one of the most deadly boots in the game.

14. Cory Jane (New Zealand)
Jane may have only featured twice during this year's Tri-Nations but he did enough against the Wallabies in Wellington to claim a spot in our line-up. There may have been a general lack of top quality wing play but let us not detract from his superb try at the Westpac Stadium. One for the future.

13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia)
There were few bright spots for the Wallabies in this year's Tri-Nations but Ashley-Cooper's emergence as a genuine threat at outside centre was one of them. After stepping into the void left by injured captain Stirling Mortlock, he went on to play a starring role in his side's upset of the Springboks.

12. Jean de Villiers (South Africa)
A close run thing between the Springboks stalwart, Australia's Berrick Barnes and New Zealand's Ma'a Nonu with the latter making a late run at the spot. But it is Munster-bound De Villiers who gets the nod for largely dominating his counterparts with a tight defensive game and a trademark intercept score to wrap up the tournament in Hamilton.

11. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
The ever-impressive Habana took his try tally to 35 from 52 games with a brace against the Wallabies in Perth. Rellatively quiet but still a significant presence.

10. Morne Steyn (South Africa)
New Zealand's Dan Carter may have stolen some headlines with his return to the international stage but make no mistake Steyn was the star of the show. He made his Tri-Nations bow at half-time against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein and didn't look back. He finished with a record 95 points to his name including another record 31 point haul against New Zealand in Durban.

9. Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
Surely a shoe-in for the IRB Player of the Year and that is before the Springboks have even embarked on their end-of-season march through Europe. So often the Springboks' driving force, he is in the form of his life thanks largely to a deadly kicking game.

1. Benn Robinson (Australia)
The Wallabies' loose-head enhanced his growing reputation despite his side's erratic record. Most memorably got the better of Smit in the Wallabies' victory in Brisbane.

2. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
Anchored a dominant Springboks pack and provided plenty of grunt in the loose. And while New Zealand's Andrew Hore and Australia's Tatafu Polota-Nau struggled at lineout time, Du Plessis had the twin towers of Matfield and Botha to rely upon.

3. John Smit (South Africa)
The Springboks skipper has his critics but he has also tasted success at the Rugby World Cup, against the Lions and now in the Tri-Nations. His scrummaging may have been questioned but he was never out of his depth as some would have you believe. A true statesman off the field, he finally shared in a victory on New Zealand soil and is still the best captain in the international game by a long way.

5. Victor Matfield (South Africa) & 4. Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
The Springboks duo are named together for they are such a formidable partnership, a team within a team. Widely regarded as the best second row pairing in the world before this year's Tri-Nations, they cemented that reputation with a physical and mental mauling of their southern hemisphere rivals.

6 (Openside). Heinrich Brussow (South Africa)
Brussow emerged as a world-class talent during the Springboks' series victory over the Lions earlier this year and kicked on again in the Tri-Nations. He continues to boss his more experienced rivals including the likes of All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw and his Wallabies counterpart George Smith.

7 (Blindside). Juan Smith (South Africa)
The silent efficiency of Smith has long been a key part of the Springboks arsenal and he was again at his best until injury brought an end to his campaign. He was unable to share in the delight of the title-clinching victory in Hamilton and will be sorely missed on their end of year tour having subsequently suffered a knee injury.

8. Keiran Read (New Zealand)
The strong-running Kiwi made the most of his opportunity after Rodney So'oialo was cast aside by coach Graham Henry. Expect the 23-year-old to go from strength to strength on the end of year tour.