Springboks All-Time XV: Eben Etzebeth headlines superstar squad - Ruck
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Springboks All-Time XV: Eben Etzebeth headlines superstar squad

10 July 2026
Tom Sansom

Picking a Springboks all-time XV was never going to be easy. Since the game of rugby first came into existence, South Africa have been within the upper-echelons of the test titans.

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The only four-time Rugby World Cup winners, the men in green and gold first climbed to the sporting summit in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park back in 1995. In a moment that transcended sport, Nelson Mandela donned the green and gold jersey to present the Web Ellis Trophy to Springboks captain Francois Pienaar, following the iconic extra-time victory over Jonah Lomu and the All Blacks.

Such a heralded moment defined South Africa’s social progression away from the days of apartheid, with the sporting heroics since encapsulated upon the silver screen in the film ‘Invictus’. The Springboks returned to the rugby mountain top in 2007, as they defeated England in the Parisian final, and have since claimed back-to-back (or Bokke-to-Bokke) titles in 2019 and 2023.

With Rassie Erasmus at the helm, South African are eyeing up an unprecedented feat for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, as they chase a third consecutive title and fifth all time crown. With such an incredible lineage of heroes in green and gold, it is quite the task to pick the greatest ever Springboks XV, as the South Africa enjoy a Nations Championship of success this July.

PICKING THE SPRINGBOKS ALL-TIME XV

15. André Joubert (Full-back)

Honourable Mentions: Percy Montgomery, HO de Villiers, Lionel Wilson

Nicknamed “The Rolls-Royce”, André Joubert redefined the full-back position with his elegance, tactical kicking and composure under pressure. A cornerstone of South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph, Joubert possessed remarkable positional awareness and an effortless running style that made difficult moments appear routine.

Equally comfortable launching counter-attacks or controlling territory with his cultured boot, he was one of the first truly complete full-backs of the professional era. Few Springboks have combined class, consistency and big-game temperament as effectively as Joubert, whose calm authority made him one of South Africa’s greatest-ever custodians.

14. Cheslin Kolbe (Wing)

Honourable Mentions:Ray Mordt, James Small, JP Pietersen

Despite standing just 1.71 metres (5ft 7in) tall, Cheslin Kolbe has become one of the most influential wings in rugby history. His dazzling footwork, blistering acceleration and remarkable ability to beat defenders in impossible situations have transformed South Africa’s attacking game.

A double Rugby World Cup winner in 2019 and 2023, Kolbe has repeatedly delivered on rugby’s biggest stages, from spectacular tries to decisive defensive interventions, including his famous charge-down of Thomas Ramos’ conversion during the epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final against France. Few players have blended skill, courage and match-winning brilliance so completely.

13. Jaque Fourie (Outside Centre)

Honourable Mentions: Danie Gerber, Lukhanyo Am, John Gainsford

Jaque Fourie remains the benchmark for outside centres in South African rugby. Combining defensive excellence with devastating running lines, he scored 32 Test tries, the most by a Springbok centre. His performances during South Africa’s victorious 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign were outstanding, while his partnership with Jean de Villiers became one of the greatest midfield combinations the international game has seen. Powerful in contact yet deceptively quick, Fourie excelled in every aspect of the position and rarely produced anything below world-class standards.

12. Jean de Villiers (Inside Centre)

Honourable Mentions: Damian de Allende, Frans Steyn, Hennie le Roux

Few Springboks have been as respected as Jean de Villiers. Across 109 Tests, he combined outstanding distribution, defensive organisation and inspirational leadership. Captain between 2012 and 2015, De Villiers remained the heartbeat of South Africa’s midfield for more than a decade, scoring 27 international tries while regularly shutting down the world’s best attacking centres. His rugby intelligence allowed those around him to flourish, making him one of the finest inside centres and captains the Springboks have ever produced.

11. Bryan Habana (Left Wing)

Honourable Mentions: Makazole Mapimpi, Chester Williams, Pieter Rossouw

Bryan Habana remains the greatest finisher in Springbok history and one of the finest wings rugby has ever seen. The 2007 World Rugby Player of the Year scored an astonishing 67 tries in 124 Tests, making him South Africa’s all-time leading try-scorer and placing him among the highest try-scorers in international rugby history.

A key figure in the Springboks’ 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph, Habana combined blistering pace, clinical finishing and outstanding defensive instincts. Equally dangerous chasing kicks, intercepting passes or finishing sweeping backline moves, he possessed an unrivalled knack for delivering in the biggest moments. His consistency over more than a decade at the highest level cements his place as the greatest wing South Africa has ever produced.

10. Handré Pollard (Fly-half)

Honourable Mentions: Naas Botha, Joel Stransky, Bennie Osler

Handré Pollard has become the defining Springbok fly-half of the modern professional era. His calm temperament, tactical control and world-class goal-kicking were instrumental in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup triumphs in both 2019 and 2023. With more than 800 Test points, he sits second only to Percy Montgomery on South Africa’s all-time scoring list. Whether dictating territory, defending aggressively or delivering under immense pressure, Pollard has repeatedly shown why he belongs among the greatest fly-halves in Springbok history.

9. Joost van der Westhuizen (Scrum-half)

Honourable Mentions: Fourie du Preez, Faf de Klerk, Danie Craven,

Joost van der Westhuizen revolutionised scrum-half play through his physicality and athleticism. Standing unusually tall for a No.9, he possessed the strength of a flanker while retaining exceptional speed and crisp distribution. His 38 Test tries remain the most by any scrum-half in Springbok history, underlining his extraordinary attacking threat. A Rugby World Cup winner in 1995 and one of the fiercest competitors the game has produced, Van der Westhuizen inspired teammates through relentless intensity and is missed by all Springboks fans as one of rugby’s all-time great scrum-halves.

1. Os du Randt (Loosehead Prop)

Honourable Mentions: Tendai Mtawarira, Ox Nche, Gurthro Steenkamp

Os du Randt’s longevity alone secures his legendary status. The powerhouse loosehead remarkably won Rugby World Cups 12 years apart, lifting the trophy in both 1995 and 2007. Across 80 Tests, he anchored one of rugby’s most feared scrums while contributing far more around the field than many props of his era. Few front-row forwards have combined brute strength with such mobility and endurance. His influence stretched across multiple generations, making him arguably the greatest loosehead prop the Springboks have ever produced.

2. Malcolm Marx (Hooker)

Honourable Mentions: John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis, Bongi Mbonambi

Malcolm Marx has elevated the modern hooker role through his dominance at the breakdown, accuracy at lineout time and relentless physicality. Just as comfortable winning turnovers as carrying through heavy traffic, Marx has become one of the most complete forwards in world rugby. A two-time Rugby World Cup winner, he has also established himself among the highest try-scoring hookers in Springbok history, highlighting his remarkable influence well beyond the set-piece. At his best, few hookers have matched his ability to impact every facet of the game, as the current World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year.

3. Frans Malherbe (Tighthead Prop)

Honourable Mentions: Jannie du Plessis, Balie Swart, CJ van der Linde

Frans Malherbe has set the modern standard for tighthead prop play through his exceptional scrummaging and remarkable consistency. A cornerstone of South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, Malherbe has anchored one of the most dominant scrums in international rugby for over a decade. While his work often goes unnoticed outside the front row, his technical excellence, durability and ability to dismantle opposition packs have made him arguably the greatest tighthead prop in Springbok history.

4. Eben Etzebeth (Lock)

Honourable Mentions: Bakkies Botha, Frik du Preez, Mark Andrews

Eben Etzebeth has built one of the greatest careers of any Springbok forward. As South Africa’s most-capped player, his extraordinary combination of physicality, skill and consistency has defined an era of sustained Springbok success. A two-time Rugby World Cup winner, Etzebeth influences every facet of the game—from the lineout and scrum to defence, carrying and leadership. His intensity rarely drops below elite level, and his remarkable longevity has cemented his status as arguably the greatest lock in Springbok history.

5. Victor Matfield (Lock)

Honourable Mentions: Krynauw Otto, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert:

Victor Matfield transformed lineout play through intelligence as much as athleticism. Widely regarded as one of rugby’s greatest lineout operators, he became the strategic heartbeat of South Africa’s pack for more than a decade. His iconic partnership with Bakkies Botha powered the Springboks to the 2007 Rugby World Cup and multiple Tri Nations titles, while his 127 Test caps stood as the national record until Eben Etzebeth surpassed him. Few second rows have ever controlled matches with such precision.

6. Siya Kolisi (Blindside Flanker)

Honourable Mentions: Juan Smith, Francois Pienaar, Andre Venter

Siya Kolisi’s impact extends far beyond rugby. As South Africa’s first black test captain, he inspired a nation by lifting consecutive Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023. On the field, Kolisi combines relentless defence, explosive carrying and exceptional leadership under pressure. His influence on team culture has become every bit as valuable as his performances, while more than 100 Test caps underline his remarkable consistency. Few captains in rugby history have united excellence, resilience and symbolism so powerfully.

7. Schalk Burger (Openside Flanker)

Honourable Mentions: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Heinrich Brüssow, Ruben Kruger

Schalk Burger played every game with extraordinary intensity. Named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2004, he became renowned for fearless tackling, relentless carrying and ferocious work at the breakdown. Burger’s refusal to take a backward step made him one of the toughest competitors of the professional era, while his performances helped South Africa lift the 2007 Rugby World Cup. At his peak, few flankers anywhere in the world could match his influence across the full 80 minutes.

8. Duane Vermeulen (Number Eight)

Honourable Mentions: Hennie Muller, Gary Teichmann, Bob Skinstad

Known simply as “Thor”, Duane Vermeulen produced some of the greatest No.8 performances in Springbok history. He delivered a dominant display in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, earning the World Rugby Player of the Match award as South Africa defeated England to reclaim the Webb Ellis Cup. Equally effective as a ball carrier, defender, lineout option and breakdown specialist, Vermeulen repeatedly produced his best rugby on the biggest occasions. His calm leadership and consistency across two World Cup-winning campaigns cement his place as the outstanding Springbok No.8 of the professional era.

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