3. Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa/Stormers)
What they said: “A tireless workhorse, he has the size and physicality of a second row, where he used to play, plus the dynamism and speed over the ground which makes him such an effective loose forward, while he made more tackles than any other Springbok on their way to World Cup glory and was a one-man counter-rucking destroyer at times.”
Out thoughts: A true team player, we’d have him ranked at no.2 at the very least. Hopefully, we’ll see him in the Gallagher Premiership in 2021.
2. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa/Toulouse)
What they said: “Possesses the kind of wizardry that gets people out of their seats and gets them talking about this game of ours. Just has the X-Factor.”
Out thoughts: Wouldn’t have him this high up the ranking, but hard to argue he’s not one of the best players in the world. He can create something out of nothing with his magic feet.
1. Semi Radradra (Fiji/Bristol Bears)
What they said: “He is able to change a game single-handedly like no other player in the sport, single-handed being the appropriate term given his conjuror-like off-loading out of the side door. You just expect something to happen every time he gets the ball and it generally does.”
Out thoughts: A standout individual across both rugby codes, Radradra averaged 100m a game at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, lighting up the competition pool stages with a string of sensational displays, including a brace against Georgia. Simply the best.
