5. Lukhanyo Am
At his peak, Lukhanyo Am was arguably the best outside centre in world rugby.
The Springbok star was a defensive mastermind, a superb distributor and one of the most intelligent players in the game.
His role in South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph was enormous, while his performances for club and country saw him become an almost automatic selection in any World XV.
Am remains a very good player and, on his day, can still produce moments that few centres are capable of.
But injuries and the emergence of other elite midfielders have seen him slip from the very top table.
The quality is still there.
4. Handré Pollard
This one will divide opinion.
Pollard remains one of the greatest big-game players in rugby history and has repeatedly delivered when South Africa have needed him most.
His performances in the biggest moments have helped the Springboks win two World Cups, and there are few players you would rather have lining up a match-winning kick.
But world-class status should be based on more than reputation and clutch moments.
On a week-to-week basis, is Pollard still genuinely one of the best fly-halves in the world?
He remains a superb Test player and an incredible competitor.
We’re just no longer convinced he sits at the very top table.
3. Beauden Barrett
At his peak, Barrett was almost untouchable.
The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year had devastating pace, outrageous skill and the ability to change a Test match in seconds.
For a period, he was arguably the most dangerous rugby player on the planet.
He remains an All Blacks great and can still produce moments of brilliance that very few players are capable of.
But that is the point.
Those moments are no longer happening with the same regularity, and the current version of Barrett is not the unstoppable superstar who once terrified defences.
Still brilliant on his day. No longer consistently world-class.
2. Siya Kolisi
Kolisi’s place in rugby history is secure.
A two-time World Cup-winning captain, inspirational leader and one of the most important figures the sport has ever produced.
None of that is up for debate.
He also remains a very good international flanker who can produce enormous performances when it matters most.
But this list is based purely on current individual performance.
Remove the captaincy, leadership and incredible legacy from the equation and ask one simple question: is Kolisi still one of the very best flankers in world rugby?
We don’t think he is.
That does not diminish his greatness. It simply means he has slipped from the very top table.
1. Tadhg Furlong
There was a time when Furlong was the undisputed best tighthead prop in world rugby.
The Ireland and British & Irish Lions star combined destructive scrummaging with remarkable handling skills and mobility around the pitch.
For years, he was an automatic selection in almost every World XV.
But those days are gone.
Furlong remains a hugely respected international prop and is still capable of producing excellent performances at the highest level.
This is not a suggestion that he has suddenly become a poor player.
However, his reputation now exceeds his current performances, with several tightheads operating at a higher level.
The former world’s best remains very good.
But can he still realistically be described as world-class?
For us, the answer is no.
