SIX Springboks and FOUR England star in 2025 World Rugby XV

Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at 10:40

byRugby Rucker

Selecting a 2025 World Rugby XV is as brutal as it gets. Form has fluctuated, reputations have been tested, and a few new stars have forced their way onto the global stage.

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But after months of rugby chaos, these are the 15 men who stand tallest.

2025 World Rugby XV

1. Ox Nché (South Africa)

The Springboks’ scrum weapon. Ox Nché’s combination of power, technical precision, and low-body positioning has humbled some of the best tight-heads in the world. He’s been in relentless form, topping performance charts and setting the tone for South Africa’s physical dominance.

2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

One of the most dominant forwards of his generation, Malcolm Marx brings a level of physicality and breakdown authority few players can match. His defensive presence is immense—ripping turnovers, smashing tackles, and setting the tone in contact. Add in world-class lineout accuracy and a lethal nose for the try-line, and Marx becomes the hooker every coach wants at the heart of their pack.

3. Wilco Louw (South Africa)

South Africa’s scrum monster edges out Thomas du Toit and Taniela Tupou thanks to one thing: consistency. Louw delivers every single week, dominating collisions and locking down the tight-head side with frightening reliability.

4. Ruan Nortje (South Africa)

Perhaps rugby’s most underrated lock, Nortje’s engine never cools. Lineout intelligence, work rate, and breakdown nuisance—he’s become undroppable for the Bulls and Boks.

5. Maro Itoje (England)

Fresh off captaining a victorious Lions side in Australia, Itoje looks reborn. He commanded the lineout, bullied breakdowns, and set the emotional tone throughout the tour. England’s talisman is very much back.

6. Pablo Matera (Argentina)

A force of nature. Matera’s physicality and leadership drive Los Pumas, while his defensive output remains among the best in world rugby.

7. Ben Earl (England)

The Premiership’s most explosive back-rower has carried his form straight into the Test arena. Earl’s power, pace, and ability to turn broken play into gold make him England’s most dynamic forward. His work rate and carrying threat edge him into the No. 7 shirt.

8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

Still the benchmark for modern No. 8 play. Savea blends explosive carrying with silky link work and breakdown heroics. He’s the All Blacks’ heartbeat.

Backs

9. Antoine Dupont (France)

Even with injuries interrupting his year, Dupont remains peerless. His speed, his vision, his ability to change a match in a single action—no scrum-half comes close.

10. George Ford

A master tactician and the definition of a calm head in chaos, George Ford offers game management that remains among the very best in world rugby. His kicking—both tactical and off the tee—continues to dictate territory with precision, while his vision in attack unlocks defences through timing rather than brute force. Ford’s composure, creativity, and control make him the ideal general to steer this World XV.

11. Damien Penaud (France)

A try-scoring machine with outrageous instincts. Give him half a metre and he will punish you. Still the most lethal winger in Europe.

12. Tommaso Menoncello (Italy)

Power and finesse in perfect balance. Menoncello’s ability to break the line and create space for others has been key to Italy’s recent resurgence.

13. Ollie Lawrence (England)

England’s midfield wrecking ball. Direct, powerful, and increasingly polished, Lawrence brings both defensive steel and attacking bite.

14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

Still box-office. Kolbe’s footwork remains unmatched, and he continues to produce moments of brilliance on the biggest stages.

15. Damian Willemse (South Africa)

The ultimate modern fullback—composed, creative, and dangerous from anywhere on the park. Willemse’s versatility and flair round out this star-studded XV.