Who is the best rugby player in the world right now? Scotland fly-half Finn Russell? Antoine Dupont has led the debate for years. Ardie Savea also has a strong case.
It is a tough question.
Then there are the Springboks.
South Africa are packed with world-class talent. Their recent success against New Zealand has only strengthened the case for several Boks to feature high on this list.
In fact, the Springboks dominated RUCK's latest World XV after their series win over the All Blacks.
RUCK has ranked the 15 best players in the world right now.
We looked at recent form and big-game displays. We also considered how important each player is to their team.
This is about right now. It is not a list based on career success.
Here is our top 15.
15. Jesse Kriel – South Africa
Kriel just keeps delivering for the Springboks.
He is a superb defender. He is also strong with the ball and rarely makes a bad call.
The centre has become one of Rassie Erasmus' most trusted players.
Kriel may not always grab the headlines.
But he remains a key man for the world champions.
14. Tommy Freeman – England
Freeman has become one of England's biggest threats.
He is quick, strong and very good in the air.
The Northampton Saints star can play at wing or centre. That makes him even more useful to England.
Freeman's form was recognised when he was shortlisted for a major Player of the Season award earlier this year.
He also has the power to break tackles and create chances from very little.
Right now, he gets our vote as England's best player.
13. Eben Etzebeth – South Africa
Etzebeth has been at the top for a very long time.
Yet he is still one of the best locks in rugby.
The giant Springbok brings power and aggression. He is also a major threat at the lineout.
Etzebeth has won two Rugby World Cups and become South Africa's most-capped player.
But this isn't about his past.
He remains a huge part of Rassie Erasmus' plans right now.
12. Matthieu Jalibert – France
Jalibert has enjoyed a superb year.
The French fly-half was one of Bordeaux's key men last season.
According to his official Bordeaux profile, he played 25 games and scored 133 points in 2025/26.
He also helped Bordeaux win another Champions Cup.
Jalibert can open up a defence in seconds.
His pace is a major threat. His passing and kicking are also top class.
That recent form earns him a place in our top 15.
11. Tadhg Beirne – Ireland
Beirne can do almost everything.
He wins turnovers. He tackles all day. He is also excellent at the lineout.
The Irish star can play at lock or in the back-row.
That makes him one of the most useful forwards in Test rugby.
His consistency was recognised when he was picked in the World Rugby Dream Team for 2025.
Few forwards offer more.
10. Antoine Dupont – France
Yes, Dupont is only 10th.
For years, he has been the easy answer to this question.
At his best, he may still be the most gifted player in rugby.
Dupont can run, kick and pass at an elite level. He can also change a match with one moment of magic.
But this ranking is based heavily on current form.
Dupont has not had the same body of rugby as several players above him.
That explains why he drops to 10th.
9. Ox Nché – South Africa
Props do not often get the headlines.
Nché deserves them.
The Springbok loosehead can destroy a scrum. That alone can change a Test match.
But there is more to his game.
Nché is mobile and works hard around the field.
He was one of six Springboks selected in the 2025 World Rugby Dream Team.
He is now one of the most important players in the Springbok pack.
8. Cam Roigard – New Zealand
Roigard has become a key man for the All Blacks.
He is fast and loves to attack around the ruck.
His kicking game is also very strong.
That mix makes him hard to defend against.
Roigard was also named in the World Rugby Dream Team last year.
New Zealand look to have found their scrum-half for years to come.
7. Cheslin Kolbe – South Africa
Kolbe remains box office.
Few players cause more panic when they get the ball.
His feet are incredible. His speed is just as good.
But Kolbe offers much more than attack.
He is brave under the high ball and works hard in defence.
Kolbe was selected in World Rugby's Dream Team in both 2024 and 2025.
Even in this great Springbok side, he stands out.
6. Finn Russell – Scotland
There may not be a more fun player to watch.
Russell can spot things other fly-halves simply cannot see.
His passing can open a defence in seconds. His kicking can do the same.
However, Russell is no longer just a player who takes risks.
He now controls games at the highest level.
The Scotland star has played a huge role in Bath's recent success. His current deal runs until 2028 and he has become one of the highest-paid players in world rugby.
Russell has also previously been selected in RUCK's best XV in world rugby.
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At his best, Russell is almost impossible to contain.
5. Will Jordan – New Zealand
Will Jordan just keeps scoring tries.
The All Blacks star has been in superb form in 2026.
In July, he scored a hat-trick against Italy.
That took Jordan to 50 Test tries and made him the All Blacks' record Test try-scorer.
He reached the mark in just 56 Tests.
Jordan's pace is obvious. But his biggest strength may be knowing where to be.
He finds gaps that other players miss.
His support lines are also among the best in rugby.
On current form, Jordan has to be in the top five.
4. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – France
Bielle-Biarrey is frighteningly quick.
But he is much more than a speedster.
The France winger knows where to be. He also finishes chances that other players would waste.
His form earned him a place alongside several of the names on this list in the 2025 World Rugby Dream Team.
Bielle-Biarrey has kept producing since.
And he is still only 22.
3. Pieter-Steph du Toit – South Africa
Du Toit has been one of rugby's best players for years.
He is still going strong.
The Springbok back-row never seems to stop tackling.
He carries hard. He puts huge pressure on the other team.
He also seems to save some of his best rugby for the biggest matches.
Du Toit was named World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year in 2024.
It was the second time he had won the award.
He then backed that up with another place in the World Rugby Dream Team in 2025.
Age has done little to slow him down.
On current form, he makes our top three.
2. Ardie Savea – New Zealand
Savea is the heartbeat of the All Blacks.
He carries like a back and hits like a forward.
He can win turnovers too.
Savea was one of New Zealand's standout performers against South Africa before suffering a shoulder injury.
The setback meant the All Blacks captain was stood down for the final game of the series.
That does not change how good he has been.
Savea was named All Blacks captain ahead of the 2026 international season.
Few players have a bigger impact on their team.
Only one man beats him to top spot.
1. Malcolm Marx – South Africa
Malcolm Marx is our number one.
The Springbok is RUCK's best rugby player in the world right now.
Marx is a monster at the breakdown.
Give him half a chance and he will steal the ball.
He is also a huge carrier. His power at scrum time adds another weapon.
His form earned him rugby's biggest individual prize.
World Rugby named Marx its Men's 15s Player of the Year for 2025.
He beat Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ox Nché and Louis Bielle-Biarrey to the award.
And he has kept delivering in 2026.
Marx also topped his position when RUCK updated its World XV following South Africa's recent series against New Zealand.
There are quicker players on this list.
There are more flashy players too.
But very few have as much influence on a Test match.
Right now, Malcolm Marx is RUCK's number one player in the world.
