The ‘Real’ World XV of the Year

My team differs significantly from the official World Rugby Dream Team of the Year, announced last week. Instead of six, nine Bok stars made my side, and three rather than five Northern Hemisphere aces made the cut.

Boks Dominate World Rugby Dream Team Of The Year

Aside from the South African core, the team consists of two Frenchmen, one All Black, one Wallaby, one Irishman, and an Englishman.

15: Will Jordan (New Zealand)

One of the most lethal players in the world, Jordan cut up defences with his blistering pace and elegant agility. He demonstrated his uncanny ability to turn half-chances into points all year long and was one of the precious few players in the All Blacks class of 2025 who were world-class. 

14: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

The biggest little man in the game once again weaved his magic this season. A now you see me, now you don’t hot-stepper, he left numerous defenders in disbelief and clutching at air. Excellent in the air and a giant-killer on defence, he also made a broader impact when he started in the No. 15 jersey for just the second time for the Boks against the Brave Blossoms.

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

A shining light in what was a dark campaign for the Wallabies, the super athlete that is Sua’ali’i was superb. The uber-talented and towering league convert was the joint-top try-scorer in the Rugby Championship with four five-pointers, and was nominated for the Breakout Player of the Year award.

12: Damian Willemse (South Africa)

The versatile virtuoso played most of the season at fullback but started at inside centre in his magnificent Man of the Match performance in the Boks’ record 43-10 win over the All Blacks in Wellington, scoring a barnstorming try and sparking another with his fancy footwork. He was simply too good to miss out, hence his selection at No. 12.

11: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)

The only non-South African nominated for the World Player of the Year award, the French flyer was crowned Six Nations Player of the Championship after running in a record eight tries to help Les Bleus regain the silverware. The 22-year-old continued to thrill in the Nations Series and signed off with a brace in the 48-33 win over the Wallabies.

10: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)

The golden child of the men in Green and Gold, Feinberg-Mngomezulu established himself as the best flyhalf in the world in just his second season of Test rugby. The generational talent has significantly increased the Boks’ potency with his attacking prowess and made major strides in terms of game management at the highest level.

The 23-year-old is destined for greatness and already wrote his name in the annals of history this year with his unbelievable 37-point haul against Argentina in Durban, the most by a Bok in a single Test, breaking Percy Montgomery’s previous record of 35 against Namibia in Cape Town in 2007.

Not only that, his seven tries this season took his Test tally to nine, making him the top try-scoring flyhalf in Bok history after just 19 Tests.

9: Cobus Reinach (South Africa)

On the opposite side of the equation, Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s halfback partner finally climbed the ladder and cemented himself as South Africa’s first-choice scrumhalf. At 35, the ever-reliable Reinach shifted into another gear this year and found magic in his partnership with Sacha FM.

8: Jasper Wiese (South Africa)

Ardie Savea had a strong season, with his match-sealing jackal in his 100th Test for the All Blacks against the Boks at Eden Park being fairy-tale stuff. However, Wiese wreaked havoc with his hard running and bone-crunching hits. Tough-as-nails, he was a destructive force who showed no regard for his personal well-being.

7: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

The jury is still out on whether Du Toit is actually human or whether he was built in a lab. The Bok Terminator is unrivalled when it comes to work rate and his cyborg-like consistency, as he backed up winning the World Player of the Year award last season by earning another nomination for the prestigious gong, which he also won in 2019.  

6: Pablo Matera (Argentina)

A mix between The Toxic Avenger and Diego Maradona, Matera starred for the Pumas with his ground-shaking explosiveness, remarkable flair for a forward and warrior spirit in a season that saw him become their most-capped player ever. He played a leading role in the Pumas’ historic 29-23 home win over the All Blacks and sparked one of the tries of the year in their record 52-28 win over Wales.

Top 15 tries of the 2025 Nations Series

5: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

A throwback to the rugby hard men of old, Beirne was beastly in 2025. He stood tall as the Player of the Series after the British & Irish Lions’ 2-1 triumph over Australia, starting in all three Tests and scoring a crucial try in the second showdown in Melbourne. The veteran was just as influential for Ireland as well.

4: Maro Itoje (England)

Captain courageous, Itoje spearheaded England’s resurgence and became the first Englishman in 24 years to skipper the British & Irish Lions. He was excellent in the role, leading by example and guiding the Home Nations all-stars to a famous series win Down Under.

3: Wilco Louw (South Africa)

A human bulldozer, Louw was a lethal weapon. Mano e mano, no one could contain the 144kg scrummaging monster. Fresh players were promptly given a rude awakening, while tired opposition had no hope whatsoever. “Quadzilla” will haunt the dreams of all who crossed his path in 2025, and dotted down his maiden Test try in the Boks’ 61-7 win over Japan.

2: Malcolm Marx (South Africa) – Player of the Year

The Bok juggernaut’s 10th season of Test rugby was his finest as he joined the pantheon of greats to be crowned World Player of the Year. The 31-year-old thoroughly deserved the highest individual honour in the sport as he was a complete and consistent colossus who carried a heavy workload and capped off the year with a Man of the Match performance in the Boks’ first win over Ireland in Dublin in 13 years.

1: Ox Nche (South Africa)

Like Marx, Nche took his game to the next level this season and made history by becoming the first prop to be nominated for the World Player of the Year award. The popular Bok behemoth was as commanding as he is charismatic. A smashing machine at scrum time, it was clear that he didn’t have a single salad this year, while he served as vice-captain of the Boks for the first time in the 30-22 win over the Wallabies in Cape Town.