The best scrum-halves of the professional era (Ranked 5-1)

Wednesday, 15 April 2026 at 10:09

bySteven Smith

The scrum-half is rugby’s most pivotal position—the vital connection between forwards and backs, the architect of tempo, and the on-field strategist who shapes the flow of the game.

In the professional era, this influence has only intensified, with the finest No. 9s blending rapid service, astute game management, defensive resilience, and an unyielding competitive edge.

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Since rugby went professional, the game has produced a golden generation of scrum-halves who dominated Test rugby and club competitions alike. World Cup winners, league legends and serial trophy collectors have all left their mark, redefining what it means to be an elite scrum-half at the highest level.

Ranking the greatest scrum-halves of the professional era is always subjective — styles differ, eras overlap and success comes in many forms. But taking into account longevity, influence, silverware and overall quality, we count down the greatest scrum-halves of the professional era, ranked from 5 to 1.

5 Antoine Dupont – “The Phenomenon”

Antoine Dupont has redefined what a scrum-half can be. With explosive speed, dazzling skill, and composure beyond his years, he has driven both Toulouse and France to major triumphs, including a Grand Slam in 2022.

A three-time Six Nations Player of the Championship, Dupont also etched his name into history by winning Olympic gold in rugby sevens. At just 28, he is already considered one of the greatest to play the position, with plenty more to come.

4 George Gregan – “The Ice Man”

Clubs: ACT Brumbies, Toulon, Suntory Sungoliath
Country: Australia
Height: 1.73m
Caps: 139
Achievements: Rugby World Cup winner (1999), World Cup finalist (2003), 2× Super Rugby champion, 59 Tests as captain

George Gregan is one of rugby’s most enduring figures. With 139 Test caps, he remains Australia’s most-capped player and one of the most influential scrum-halves in history. He helped the Brumbies to two Super Rugby titles and the Wallabies to World Cup glory in 1999.

Famous for his ice-cool composure, Gregan’s career is marked by unforgettable moments: his tackle on Jeff Wilson in 1994, his “Four more years” sledge to the All Blacks in 2003, and his record-breaking longevity.

3 Fourie du Preez – “The Master Technician”

Clubs: Blue Bulls, Bulls, Suntory Sungoliath
Country: South Africa
Height: 1.82m
Caps: 76
Achievements: Rugby World Cup winner (2007), 3× Super Rugby champion, 2× South African Rugby Player of the Year

Fourie du Preez epitomised the modern scrum-half with his tactical kicking, flawless passing, and game management. A key figure in South Africa’s 2007 World Cup victory, he also steered the Bulls to three Super Rugby titles and won multiple Tri Nations championships.

His intelligence and execution earned him recognition as one of the most complete No. 9s of all time and set the blueprint for the position in the professional era.

2 Aaron Smith – “The Conductor”

Clubs: Highlanders, Toyota Verblitz
Country: New Zealand
Height: 1.71m
Caps: 124
Achievements: Rugby World Cup winner (2015), most-capped All Black scrum-half, Highlanders Super Rugby champion (2015)

Aaron Smith transformed the tempo of New Zealand rugby. His lightning-fast service enabled the All Blacks’ high-octane attack for over a decade, making him the most capped No. 9 in New Zealand history. A world champion in 2015, Smith also led the haka on 35 occasions, becoming the first Māori scrum-half to reach 100 Tests. His precision and consistency secured his place as one of the finest All Blacks of the modern era.

1 Joost van der Westhuizen – “The Warrior”

Clubs: Blue Bulls, Bulls
Country: South Africa
Height: 1.88m
Caps: 89
Achievements: Rugby World Cup winner (1995), Tri Nations champion (1998), South Africa captain, 38 Test tries

Joost van der Westhuizen revolutionised the scrum-half role with his physicality, pace, and attacking threat. At 6ft 2in, he was a new breed of No. 9, scoring an astonishing 38 tries in 89 Tests.

He was a hero of South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph, remembered for his fearless defence on Jonah Lomu in the final. After rugby, Joost showed remarkable courage in his battle with motor neurone disease, founding the J9 Foundation before his death in 2017. His impact, both on and off the field, makes him an immortal of the game.

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