The 10 greatest Springboks of the Rassie Erasmus era – ranked

Since first taking charge in 2018, Erasmus has helped transform South Africa back into rugby's ultimate winning machine, with back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023 forming the centrepiece of an extraordinary era.

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There have been famous wins over the All Blacks, a British & Irish Lions series victory and a seemingly endless conveyor belt of world-class talent.

Erasmus' initial turnaround was remarkable, taking a Springbok side that had fallen to sixth in the world back to the summit of the international game.

But which players have been the most important to the Rassie revolution?

Taking into account performances, longevity, silverware, big-game influence and their importance to Erasmus' system, we've ranked the 10 greatest Springboks of the Rassie era.

Perhaps one of the most underrated Springboks of the entire professional era.

De Allende has never attracted the same headlines as some of South Africa's more explosive backs, but his importance to the Bok game plan has been enormous.

A powerful carrier, excellent defender and hugely dependable presence at inside centre, De Allende started both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup finals.

Rassie has repeatedly trusted him when the stakes have been highest.

At his best, there are very few hookers in world rugby who can match Malcolm Marx.

His breakdown work, physicality and carrying have made him one of the most destructive forwards of the Rassie era.

Marx played an important role in the 2019 World Cup triumph before injury cruelly ended his 2023 tournament after just one appearance.

He has since returned to remain a major figure for the Springboks and continues to produce match-winning moments.

Few players better represent the original Rassie Erasmus blueprint.

De Klerk's box-kicking, defensive aggression and relentless energy were central to the Springboks' transformation from struggling giants into world champions.

He started the 2019 World Cup final victory over England and was again trusted to start the 2023 final against New Zealand.

The image of De Klerk celebrating the 2019 triumph in his famous South African flag pants became one of the defining images of the tournament.

But behind the personality was an outstanding Test scrum-half.

The Springboks' scrum has been one of the foundations of their success under Erasmus – and Frans Malherbe has been at the heart of it.

The tighthead isn't normally the player appearing in the highlight reels, but teammates, opponents and coaches understand his value.

Malherbe helped dismantle England's scrum in the 2019 World Cup final and remained a cornerstone of the pack throughout the following World Cup cycle.

He was also among the experienced core selected for the 2023 tournament, with World Rugby noting that nine members of that squad were preparing for their third World Cup.

When South Africa needed to squeeze the life out of an opponent up front, Malherbe was invariably involved.

If you needed somebody to kick a penalty to save your life, Pollard would probably be fairly high on the list.

The fly-half has developed a reputation as the Springboks' ultimate pressure player.

Pollard started the 2019 World Cup final and contributed 22 points as South Africa defeated England 32-12 in Yokohama. World Rugby looked back at Pollard's journey from U20 champion to World Cup winner here.

Four years later, his story was even more remarkable.

Initially left out of the 2023 World Cup squad because of injury, Pollard was eventually recalled and kicked the decisive points during South Africa's extraordinary run through the knockout stages.

He kicked all 12 of their points in the final against New Zealand.

Ice cold.

One of the great Springbok No.8s.

Vermeulen was already an established international when Erasmus took charge, but he became one of the central figures in the team's resurgence.

His finest moment came in the 2019 World Cup final, when he was named Player of the Match following a monstrous display against England.

Remarkably, he was still playing a crucial role four years later.

Vermeulen started the 2023 final against the All Blacks before retiring from professional rugby as a two-time world champion.

One of the most electrifying rugby players of his generation.

Kolbe's rise is also one of the great stories of the Erasmus era, with the diminutive winger becoming proof that size doesn't have to determine whether a player can thrive at the highest level.

His try against England in the 2019 World Cup final is one of the most iconic moments in Springbok history.

Then came 2023.

Kolbe produced another enormous performance in the final against New Zealand, including one of the most important moments of the match when he charged down Richie Mo'unga's conversion attempt following Beauden Barrett's try.

Two World Cups and countless unforgettable moments.

The physical embodiment of the modern Springboks.

Etzebeth was already one of the world's leading locks before Erasmus returned to South African rugby, but his influence has somehow continued to grow.

Powerful, confrontational and incredibly consistent, he has been at the centre of virtually every major Springbok achievement of the era.

Etzebeth won both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups and has developed into one of the team's most important leaders.

When the Springboks need someone to drag them through a brutal Test match, Etzebeth is usually somewhere near the front of the queue.

The captain who changed South African rugby history.

Erasmus' decision to appoint Kolisi as Springbok captain in 2018 became one of the defining decisions of his first spell in charge.

What followed was extraordinary.

Kolisi captained South Africa to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, becoming the first black captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

Four years later, he did it again.

Add the 2021 British & Irish Lions series victory and further success against the world's leading nations and Kolisi's legacy is secure.

His influence also extends far beyond his performances on the pitch.

For leadership, symbolism and sheer importance to the story of this Springbok generation, nobody comes close.

But we've still got one player ahead of him.

We've made our choice – now it's over to you.

The ultimate Rassie Erasmus player.

Pieter-Steph du Toit combines everything that has made this Springbok generation so formidable – physicality, work-rate, versatility, defensive aggression and an almost ridiculous willingness to empty the tank for his country.

He was named World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year in 2019 as South Africa conquered the world in Japan. World Rugby described Du Toit as a "linchpin" of the Springbok pack when announcing the award.

Then came his masterpiece.

Du Toit produced a phenomenal defensive performance against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup final, making 28 tackles as South Africa held on for a famous 12-11 victory.

It earned him Player of the Match in the final and underlined his extraordinary importance to this Springbok side.

And he wasn't finished.

Du Toit was crowned World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year for a second time in 2024, joining an elite group of multiple winners including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Beauden Barrett. See the full list of World Rugby's 2024 award winners here.

Kolisi might be the defining leader of the Rassie era.

Etzebeth might be its enforcer.

Kolbe might have produced its most spectacular moments.

But when it comes to combining individual brilliance, silverware, consistency and performances on the biggest stage, Pieter-Steph du Toit gets our No.1 spot.

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