Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament

The golden era of Springboks, the back-to-back world champions and No. 1-ranked team in the world, added to their legacy by becoming the first South African side to win the Southern Hemisphere showpiece back-to-back.

They’ve been rewarded with eight players in our Team of the Tournament. A quartet of Pumas also cracked the nod, as did a pair of All Blacks, with a sole Wallabies standout completing our side.

15: Juan Cruz Mallia (Argentina)

Somewhat of a silent assassin, Mallia went about his work marvellously and led the tournament in carries (59), metres (337), and offloads (11). He balanced this with exceptional aerial skills and rock-solid defence.  

14: Bautista Delguy (Argentina)

An opportunist and potent finisher rolled into one, Delguy had defences at six and sevens. He scored three tries, the most by a Pumas player this season, and also finished joint-first in clean breaks (6) and fifth in metres (253).

13: Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (Australia)

Arguably the best pure athlete on show this season, Sua’ali’i used his unique mix of size, speed, strength, and athleticism to great effect for the Wallabies and was the joint-top try-scorer (4). Rugby union is richer for having the league convert in it.

12: Santiago Chocobares (Argentina)

An Argentine wizard, Chocobares cut defences to pieces, both with his intelligent running lines and his ability to manipulate space with his footwork and ball skills. Also armed with enough power to smash over the gainline, he’s the total package.

11: Will Jordan (New Zealand)

The gift that keeps on giving for the All Blacks, Jordan oozed class and demanded the attention of defenders with his flair. He finished joint-first in clean breaks (6), second in defenders beaten (18), and fourth in metres (264).

10: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)

The generational talent was a joy to watch as he steered the Boks to a second successive title in style. His 37-point haul against the Pumas in Durban, a Bok record in a single Test, was a masterclass for the ages. He beat a tournament-best 20 defenders, was joint-first in clean breaks (6), and second in both points (50) and metres (279).

9: Cobus Reinach (South Africa)

The veteran scrumhalf not only showed his value to the Boks, but also raised his stock with his assured performances. He was the perfect experienced head to pair up with young Feinberg-Mngomezulu, giving the Boks the best of both worlds, and capped his campaign with a two-try Man of the Match performance in the Twickenham decider.

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8: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

A one-man army, Savea poured his heart and soul into every performance as he tried to inspire his teammates to greatness. This is reflected in the stats as he was second in carries (58) and third in tackles (76). He also sealed victory against the Boks at Eden Park with a clutch turnover in what was his 100th Test.

7: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa) – Player of the Tournament

We’ve long run out of superlatives to describe the Bok legend. An irresistible force, Du Toit shone bright like a diamond as a dual dynamo who’s just as colossal in the physical exchanges as he is a nightmare in the trams. The reigning World Player of the Year is truly a tireless anomaly.

6: Pablo Matera (Argentina)

Matera was once again Argentina’s champion warrior who took the fight to the opposition. He’s one of the world-class veterans who’ve taken the Pumas to the next level over the last few years and was invaluable with his mongrel and endless motor.

5: Ruan Nortje (South Africa)

Speaking of an endless motor, Nortje never ceased working and was one of the unsung heroes of the Boks. He was a relentless roamer who also rolled up his sleeves and got stuck into the tough stuff. Whatever the task, he was up for it and did a great job.

4: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

Even with so many top athletes in the game today, Etzebeth remains a one-of-a-kind second-rower. He has an unmatched aura, renowned physicality and chases and re-gathers kicks like an overgrown winger. He did look human at times, but he was still the gold standard.

3: Wilco Louw (South Africa)

Louw is the closest thing there is to a real-life rugby cheat code. As soon as the opposition’s props’ gas tanks hit red, Rassie Erasmus unleashed “Quadzilla” upon them, and he feasted at scrum time like he was at a buffet. He is an absolute smashing machine.

2: Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

With the Boks stretched a bit thin at hooker, Marx had to carry a heavy workload and delivered for the most part. It was his tremendous outing at Twickenham, which included a brace that saw him finish as the joint-top try-scorer (4), that ultimately clinched him his spot in our team ahead of Pumas captain Julian Montoya.

1: Ox Nche (South Africa)

The charismatic colossus destroyed all comers at scrum time with a smile on his face. His love for taking a tighthead’s soul is matched only by his affinity for cake, and the big man indulged as he helped pave the Boks’ path to glory.