It was a gripping weekend of international rugby as the Autumn Nations Series threw up some cracking contests.
Ireland and New Zealand were the standout performers, the former edging a tense tussle with world champions and the latter ripping Wales to shreds in Cardiff.
Argentina, France and Italy also claimed impressive victories, the Pumas beating England at Twickenham for only the second time.
Here is our team of the week for round one...
15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Keenan picked up where he left off on his return from injury, his performance against South Africa belying the fact it was his first game time since the third Test against New Zealand last July.
The full-back rarely puts a foot wrong with Leinster or Ireland. He was strong in the air early doors and made some big carries on kick returns.
Keenan also linked up well in attack and had a hand in Mack Hansen's try.
14. Monty Ioane (Italy)
Damian Penaud popped up with a moment of individual brilliance to snatch victory for France against Australia, but he is edged out by Italy wing Ioane who bagged a double against Samoa.
Ioane made the trek from Melbourne for the autumn Tests and showed no signs of jetlag as he racked up 119 metres off 11 carries, beating seven defenders.
He touched down either side of half-time as Kieran Crowley’s side powered to a confidence-boosting win.
13. Jimmy O’Brien (Ireland)
A debut to remember for the 25-year-old. Playing in the unfamiliar position of outside centre, he made a try-saving tackle on Cheslin Kolbe as well as a huge hit on Eben Etzebeth, just two of many big moments in defence.
O’Brien used his left boot to great effect, made two line breaks and provided the scoring pass for Hansen. Not a bad first outing.
12. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Ringrose once again showcased his versatility by seamlessly switching to inside centre when Stuart McCloskey departed before the half-hour mark due to injury.
The 27-year-old was in the right place to take Conor Murray’s blocked box-kick, which led to Johnny Sexton opening the scoring from a penalty, and he made a huge tackle on Cheslin Kolbe moments later.
Ringrose made 48 metres off eight carries and beat a team-leading four defenders, while also marshalling his defence superbly.
11. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)
Boffelli’s 25-point haul inspired the Pumas to a famous victory at Twickenham.
The wing kicked six penalties and a conversion and also crossed for Argentina’s first try when he finished a slick backline move off a scrum.
Boffelli made light of the slick conditions by dominating under the high ball and held his nerve to slot the winning kick with 10 minutes remaining.
10. Paolo Garbisi (Italy)
Three try assists for the 22-year-old, whose stock continues to rise after running the show against Samoa.
The Montpellier out-half created both of Monty Ioane’s tries, a long looping pass putting the wing over for his first before lovely hands created the second.
Garbisi enjoyed some good fortune when a grubber ricocheted into the path of the grateful Pierre Bruno, while he also scored seven points from the tee when Tommaso Allan was off the pitch.
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Smith became the most capped All Blacks back on Saturday, surpassing Dan Carter, and he marked the occasion with a dazzling two-try display.
The scrum-half rolled back the years with a brilliant solo score early in the second half and bagged a second seven minutes later to kill off Wales’ faint hopes of a comeback.
Smith made two line breaks, beating four defenders, and his passing was fast and accurate. He gave opposite number Tomos Williams a torrid time, particularly at scrums.
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Upon hearing the South African team announcement, Porter knew the world champions would be targeting him at scrum time.
He stood up to the challenge and helped negate the 'Bomb Squad’ by winning a penalty against Vincent Koch within minutes of the Bok tighthead’s introduction.
Porter also combined with Finlay Bealham in the lead-up to Mack Hansen’s try and put his strength to good use against the most physical of opponents.
Veteran Wallabies skipper James Slipper also impressed in a dogged 78-minute display against France, holding his own at scrum time against the powerful Uini Atonio and making 14 tackles.
2. Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
The hooker has copped some criticism this year but delivered the perfect response with a brace of tries against Wales.
Taylor found a black shirt with nine of his 10 throws and made 14 tackles, second only to Dalton Papali’i.
3. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
A strong 58-minute shift from the tighthead in Cardiff, where he made 10 tackles and nine carries. Lomax formed part of a powerful New Zealand front row and won a penalty for his side at the set-piece.
Finlay Bealham also deserves a mention for his impact off the bench against South Africa.
4. Thibaud Flament (France)
Flament came into the France second row for the injured Paul Willemse and grasped his opportunity with both hands.
The Toulouse forward made nine tackles and won two turnovers, while also playing his part in a solid French set-piece.
5. James Ryan (Ireland)
Ryan was outstanding in all facets against South Africa, making 15 tackles and eight carries and marshalling an immovable maul defence.
He also disrupted South Africa’s lineout at crucial moments, including just before half-time when he made a steal on his own five-metre line.
6. Albert Tuisue (Fiji)
Tuisue’s shuddering hit on Grant Gilchrist set the tone at Murrayfield as Fiji got stuck into their hosts.
The London Irish flanker made a team-leading 10 tackles, cutting Scottish ball-carriers in two, while he also won a turnover and made eight carries during an all-action display.
Ireland can expect more of the same on Saturday.
7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Another herculean performance from the openside, who topped the Irish tackle charts with 16.
Van der Flier stood up to some ferocious South African ball-carrying and also produced big moments in attack, somehow managing to stay in touch and score the opening try when an Ireland maul was being shunted into touch.
8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Savea’s rampaging display against Wales was the standout performance of the weekend. The No 8 won two breakdown penalties inside the opening 10 minutes and had a hand in both of Codie Taylor’s tries, an over-elaborate dummy and offload putting the hooker over for his second score.
Savea’s explosive carrying was too hot for Wales to handle, teeing up Aaron Smith in the second half before crossing the tryline himself. He made 58 metres off 15 carries, beating six defenders, while also chipping in with 10 tackles. Outstanding.
