Now that the dust has settled after the Super Rugby semi-finals, Planet Rugby looks at the players who stole the show over the weekend.

15 Robbie Robinson (Chiefs): Another impressive display at the back from the full-back, who repeatedly wrong-footed the Crusaders defenders. Was responsible for the initial break that ended with Liam Messam crossing over for the Chiefs' second try.

14 Louis Ludik (Sharks): Switched from full-back to wing prior to kick-off, and it proved to be a masterstroke by coach John Plumtree as Ludik bagged an important try before half-time.

13 JP Pietersen (Sharks): Whether it's on the wing or in the midfield, the Bok flyer continues to be the centre of attention. Pietersen, who has been in such sublime form recently, continued in that vein after he scythed through to score untouched near the posts at a critical stage of the match to silence the Newlands faithful.

12 Sonny Bill Williams (Chiefs): The Japan-bound midfielder simply buzzed on attack. Playing against his former team, Williams showed what a loss he will be to New Zealand rugby - lethal on the line breaks during the first half and a handful in the second with powerful running.

11 Gio Aplon (Stormers): Played on the right, but moves over to the left. Aplon gave Stormers supporters a glimmer of hope after scoring his team's only try when he finished off a move he started. It reduced the Sharks' deficit, but proved to be too little too late...

10 Aaron Cruden (Chiefs): Toughest selection to make with Frenchman Fred Michalak once again putting in a masterclass performance for the Sharks. But up against the world's number one pivot, we felt Cruden made Dan Carter look decidedly ordinary for the bulk of the match.

9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs): He was singled out before the semi-final as the Chiefs' danger man, and Kerr-Barlow certainly didn't disappoint.

8 Richie McCaw (Crusaders): As always, McCaw played with plenty of guts and determination as the Crusaders skipper valiantly attempted to rouse his troops. Unfortunatelly for him, it was all in vein.

7 Marcell Coetzee (Sharks): Showed no debilitating effects of jetlag after putting in another brutal performance on attack and defence.

6 Liam Messam (Chiefs): In the coalface of the battle, Messam was his inspirational self and continuously forced the Crusaders to play under pressure. Finished off a scintillating try too and ticking all the right boxes for a place in Steve Hansen's Rugby Championship squad.

5 Anton Bresler (Sharks): A tower of strength at line-out time, Bresler's physicality at the collisions and power at the scrums were just a few of the contributions made by the hard-working second-rower.

4 Craig Clarke (Chiefs): Proving to be quite the leader as the consistent lock led his team manfully against the more fancied 'Saders. He's now just 80 minutes away from potentially lifting the Super Rugby trophy... should he recover from a badly swollen knee.

3 Jannie du Plessis (Sharks): Dropped anchor at scrum-time and a menace in the loose. The doctor also gave the Stormers a taste of their own medicine by putting in some solid tackles.

2 Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks): Was seeing stars after being on the receiving end of a thumping hit by Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth early on. But the rest of his performance is summed up nicely by the recently split group Chumbawamba's famous tune 'Tubthumping': "I get knocked down, But I get up again, You're never going to keep me down."!

1 Sona Taumalolo (Chiefs): The Chiefs' top try-scorer and fan favourite is certainly leaving his mark before departing the franchise where he has become a cult figure.

Source: Planet Rugby