Summer tours team of the week: Louis Rees-Zammit one of three Welshmen but no England players

After a lively opening round of summer Test matches on Saturday across the southern hemisphere, Telegraph Sport selects a team of the week featuring plenty of Wales players after a valiant effort in defeat in Pretoria. There are notably no England players.

15. Damian Willemse (South Africa)

Wasn't note perfect but South Africa desperately needed better direction at fly-half after half-time and Willemse delivered that after replacing Elton Jantjies, while also holding his nerve to land the winning penalty.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

Probably his best game for Wales so far, with two rapid tries but also harshly penalised in the closing stages for an offence at the breakdown when he looked to have made a perfect turnover.

13. Waisea Nayacalevu (Fiji)

Don't sleep on Fiji, who routed Tonga in the Pacific Nations Cup with their captain at 13 coming up with a sublime assist after a line break for Fiji's fourth try, in a 36-0 win.

12. Samu Kerevi (Australia)

Such a talent who instantly lifts Australia up a few gears. His kicking game has notably improved as well, giving the Wallabies another exit route, but it's the thundering carries which cause chaos.

11. Damian Penaud (France)

Grabbed a brace as a weakened France side still hammered Japan in Toyota, with Penaud a threat as ever but helped by some very good work in midfield from Yoram Moefana.

10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

Noah Lolesio, Blair Kinghorn, Marcus Smith and Dan Biggar all had mixed games, so Barrett gets the nod mainly for that delightful low kick to set up Quinn Tupaea's try against Ireland.

9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

Still a master working away. Some supreme flat passes, ran the show and may have just reminded a few of his class. At 33, time for us to savour his final few Tests.

1. Gareth Thomas (Wales)

Not a fun task going up against Frans Malherbe but Thomas did well, holding firm in the scrum and making plenty of top contributions in the loose as well with his carrying and tackling.

2. David Porecki (Australia)

Heck of a debut from the former London Irish hooker, who weighed in with 16 tackles and can nail down a position which feels wide open at the moment. Australia won 11/12 at the line-out.

3. James Slipper (Australia)

More of an emergency tighthead so Slipper did very well against Ellis Genge at scrum time, having come in the first half for a concussed Allan Alaalatoa. Will have relished that win.

4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

Not South Africa's best day but they can always rely on the maul to bail them out, with Etzebeth at the heart of running that area as South Africa produced three maul tries to swing the game.

5. Guido Petti (Argentina)

Had an excellent line break in the final game of Saturday against Scotland to help get Michael Cheika off to a winning start. Lood de Jager could have made this an all-Bok pairing, while Will Rowlands is relentless for Wales.

6. Tommy Reffell (Wales)

Heck of a debut from the Leicester flanker which was long overdue after his performances in the Premiership. Came up with one great turnover penalty and weighed in with 15 tackles.

7. Michael Hooper (Australia)

Another top performance from the Australia captain to add to his collection. A vital turnover with England pressing, while also adding double-digit tackles as you'd expect. Kwagga Smith was excellent off the bench.

8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Tight call with South Africa's Jasper Wiese and Argentina's Pablo Matera, while Taulupe Faletau was also very good. But with a brace and 16 tackles, it has to be Savea.