Springboks Dominate Selection of the World’s Best XV for 2026

Tuesday, 20 January 2026 at 07:11

byRugby Rucker

We’ve reviewed the international men’s rugby landscape and assembled our World XV for 2026, highlighting the standout performers in each position.

Unsurprisingly, the Springboks feature prominently, underlining South Africa’s continued dominance at the top of the global game.

⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!

2026 World XV

BACK THREE

15. Will Jordan (New Zealand)

14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)

We kick-off our picks for the best players in the world, by focusing in upon the back-three flyers that have been lighting up the touch-lines this year. Starting at fullback with New Zealand's Will Jordan, the Crusaders man continues to set the standard in a 15 jersey upon the Test match stage.

The All Blacks man has it all at his disposal, with game-breaking carries and blistering pace making him a constant threat at the gain-line. Jordan couples this with a powerful boot and a solid presence in the air. A stand-out operator for Scott Robertson this year, Jordan scored tries against Scotland and England this Autumn, and also showcased his versatility with a run-out on the wing in Saturday's win over Wales.

Joining Jordan in the back-three is the wing partnership of South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France. The two enigmatic speedsters are closely followed by the Springboks' Kurt-Lee Arendse, yet injury curtailed a predominant part of the scrum-capped sensations season. Kolbe slots in after a blistering Autumn campaign in green and gold, the Bordeaux-Begles bullet Bielle-Biarrey accompanying him on the wings.

CENTRES

13. Jesse Kriel (South Africa)

12. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

Onto the midfield axis now, and there would have plenty of backing for an all-Springboks pairing of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende, had it not been for Scotland's resident wrecking ball Sione Tuipulotu. The Glasgow Warriors man took a starring role upon the British & Irish Lions tour with a bruising partnership alongside fellow pain-maker Bundee Aki, with the Ireland star narrowly missing out on this World XV.

Tuipulotu rolled his hot form back into the URC campaign before enduring a stellar Autumnal season with Gregor Townsend's side. The stand-out performer from Scotland's back-line every time he dons the dark blue of the Highland nation, Tuipulotu's crowning effort that saw him surpass de Allende, Jordie Barrett and Bundee Aki to this XV was his seismic shift against the All Blacks, in the gut-wrenching defeat at Murrayfield.

Jesse Kriel slots in at outside centre, as the man proved once again as to why he is considered perhaps the most underrated player in the Springboks squad.

Yes the shiny and new stardom of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu grabs the headlines, and the front row and locks instil fear into their opponents before the 'Bomb Squad' is even deployed, but Rassie Erasmus has a steady, reliable and proven 'big match player' in Jesse Kriel that never fails to impress in each performance in green and gold.

HALFBACKS

10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

As anticipated, the fly half role was the hardest to decipher in our updated World XV. We have opted for All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett to take the accolade of being the best number 10 on the planet today, with a case to be made that the Blues man could also take the fullback mantle under his ownership if he so much of fancied the run-out.

However, it is tight at the top, with Barrett facing an ever-closing chasing pack of several of the world's best out-halves. George Ford is well worth a mention after a stellar Autumn Series campaign, as Steve Borthwick continues to deploy the Sale Sharks man at the helm of his side for world-class ship-steering performances against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina throughout November.

Joining Ford amongst the honourable mentions is Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of South Africa, who has exploded onto the Test stage with a fearsome Rugby Championship campaign and he looks like the man Rassie Erasmus wants to lead the Springboks to a third consecutive Rugby World Cup title in 2027.

Finn Russell also comes to mind to be the World XV's linchpin, as the Scottish maestro was stellar for the most part of his side's Autumn efforts. Ireland's Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast also present compelling cases for inclusion, yet Andy Farrell's dynamic duo join the chasing pack for the time being.

With Barrett our pick at 10, we look to Ireland for the scrum half involvement. Jamison Gibson-Park had a tremendous November series, despite an overall mix bag of results for Andy Farrell's side. The Leinster man has been pressed for his nine jersey by Munster's Craig Casey, with JGP retaining the role of his nation's leading halfback following a strong Lions tour and impressive Autumn efforts against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

FRONT ROW

1. Ellis Genge (England)

2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

3. Thomas du Toit (South Africa)

Onto the forward pack now, with England's first contribution to the World XV coming from their un-caged 'Baby Rhino' Ellis Genge. The Bristol Bears man has returned to his top form upon the international stage, as following a starring role upon the Lions tour, Genge enjoyed a brief stint as England captain in the Autumn and blew away the opposition scrum when Borthwick's own 'Bomb Squad' was ignited. Ox Nche takes an honourable mention, yet an Autumn Series ending injury curtailed his hopes at the final hurdle.

Malcolm Marx is the easiest choice of the entire XV, as the South Africa front row has been back to his best for the Springboks.

A star man for Erasmus' side that triumphed in the 2025 Rugby Championship, Marx has since been unplayable up-front, with his efforts dutifully recognised as the 2025 World Rugby Men's Player of the Year. The first hooker to take home the trophy since Ireland legend Keith Wood in 2001, Marx's accolade puts him at the professional mountain top for this selected squad.

We stick with the Springboks for the tight-head option, with Thomas du Toit proving to be an immovable presence in both his nations gold and green, as well as the blue, black and white of Bath. Whether it be the Bomb Squad, the Bath Bomb, or a role in the starting XV, 'Thomas the Tank' has steadily steamrolled his opponents, with the West Country club set to miss their man as he will return to South Africa with a move to the Sharks, at the end of the 2025/26 PREM Rugby season.

LOCKS

4. Maro Itoje (England)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

The famous tune of the White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army' repeatedly rang out around the Allianz Stadium this November, with chants of 'ooooh Maroooo Itoooooje' signalling the approval of the England captain from the Twickenham faithful. After a transcendent Summer witnessed the Saracen lead the Lions to a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies, Itoje enjoyed a well deserved rest before kicking back up to his top gear for the 2025 Quilter Nations Series.

Itoje once again proved his might as England's turnover specialist, with the lock also adamant to assert his dominance in the skies despite some line-out struggles in the campaign. Itoje was once again the heart-beat of the England team, who have now progressed up to third in the World following a clean sweep of Autumn Series wins over Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.

There were plenty of potential Springboks that could have occupied the second row of the World XV, with the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje and RG Snyman all rightful contenders to the engine room. However, after being Andy Farrell's resident Iron Man in a red jersey out in Australia, Tadhg Beirne's accolade of British & Irish Lions Player of the Series still carries plenty of weight despite an early Autumn set-back following a shock red card against the All Blacks.

Beirne recovered from this momentum-halting incident to lead the way forward from Ireland's second row, with the Munster man putting in colossal efforts in the five shirt against Japan, Australia and in the latest chaotic fray against South Africa. Beirne even crossed for a try against the Springboks that was later chalked off by James Ryan's red card offense, with Munster fans eager to see Beirne bring this inspired form back to his province and continue the unbeaten start to the season for Clayton McMillan's men.

BACK ROW

6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

The back-three is another area of great contention, with near-miss mentions in store for England battler Ben Earl and Ireland's returning captain Caelan Doris. We opt for Siya Kolisi to start at his newfound role in the six jersey, with the likes of England's Sam Underhill and Wallace Sititi of the All Blacks also worth a shout as we unvail of selected back row.

Kolisi was peerless as ever as the Springboks triumphed in the Rugby Championship as he overcame an injury set-back to claim his 100th Test cap and lift the trophy high above his head for the crowning victory over Argentina at the Allianz Stadium.

We keep it all things green and gold for his back row partner, as we select World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Pieter-Steph du Toit once again proved his might in the back row of the 'Bokke-to-Bokke' World Champions.

Ardie Savea completes the selected squad, having been a multi-tool across the back row for the All Blacks throughout both the Rugby Championship and the Autumn Nations Series. Whilst the Moana Pasifika man may have passed on the World Player of the Year accolade to Marx this past weekend, there is still plenty of backing behind Savea as the world's best in the eight jersey.

As an out-right gain-line threat, with the versatility to offload, link in with the backs and command the emotional intensity of a nation that expects, Savea rightfully retains his international recognition to round off our selected World XV.

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 retro Springboks?

Think you know your Springbok history? From bruising forwards to silky backs, these ten retro Boks once lit up the green and gold. Some are household names; others are cult heroes. Let’s see how many you can name.

All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga makes decision on swapping nations

Former England forward will play for Australia at 2027 Rugby World Cup