Who makes the ultimate World XV right now?
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The Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series has already delivered a major shake-up to the international rugby landscape.
The All Blacks delivered a stunning 33-16 win over the Springboks at Ellis Park, ending South Africa’s 12-Test winning run and providing fresh evidence for several players pushing their claims to be considered the best in the world. New Zealand’s victory was built around outstanding individual performances from the likes of the likes of Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett and Cam Roigard all at full flight.
Deciphering a World XV based on current form is hard to determine at this stage of the year, with the All Blacks tour of South Africa providing the sole tier one international rugby action across the global calendar. We are a week removed from the Wallabies’ 2-0 test series win over Japan, and counting down the days until club rugby resumes in the Northern Hemisphere next month.
With this all considered, there are several changes to our updated World XV for late August 2026. Some players have retained their places, while others have forced their way into the side. There are also two positional switches worth highlighting, as two sensational All Blacks remain in the World XV albeit whilst wearing new numbers on their backs.
So, who makes the ultimate World XV right now?
UPDATED: RUCK’S WORLD RUGBY XV
15. WILL JORDAN – NEW ZEALAND & CRUSADERS
REPLACES: THOMAS RAMOS – FRANCE & TOULOUSE
Despite excelling on the wing in the phenomenal series opener against the Springboks, Jordan’s extraordinary all-round performance earns him the No.15 jersey, with a new face out wide. Jordan has always possessed the skillset to operate at full-back for Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks, even with Dave Rennie unleashing New Zealand’s all time record men’s try scorer along the right touch-line.
His latest performances have strengthened the argument that he belongs in the World XV. That versatility allows him to move back into the position here without sacrificing any of the qualities that make him one of the world’s most dangerous attackers. Against South Africa, Jordan immediately showed his predatory instincts, spotting space before finishing clinically for the opening try. He added another score after the break and was involved in creating further opportunities, while his work without the ball was equally impressive, including a superb turnover.
New Zealand ultimately scored five tries in their 33-16 victory, with Jordan responsible for two of them. His combination of pace, finishing, rugby intelligence and ability to operate from deep makes him an increasingly difficult player to leave out. Jordan takes the 15 spot thanks to a second strong performance at 14 in the very same test, and how no current full-back is on his level, with Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Damien Willemse all a step away from their best at this current moment.
14. CHESLIN KOLBE – SOUTH AFRICA & STORMERS
REPLACES: WILL JORDAN – NEW ZEALAND & CRUSADERS
Kolbe’s influence against New Zealand showed why he remains one of the world’s most dangerous wings. Cheslin Kolbe returns to the World XV after another hugely influential performance against the All Blacks. The Springbok winger was only on the field for 58 minutes before being forced off with an injury, but his departure coincided with South Africa losing control of the contest.
Before leaving, Kolbe had been perfect from the kicking tee, scoring 11 points through three penalties and a conversion. His value extends far beyond goal-kicking. Kolbe remains one of rugby’s most elusive attackers, capable of beating defenders in confined spaces and creating something from almost nothing. The fact that South Africa’s attack appeared to lose another dimension after his departure only underlined his importance.
13. JESSE KRIEL – SOUTH AFRICA & CANON EAGLES
RETAINS PLACE
Kriel’s consistency and defensive reliability continue to make him one of the world’s leading outside centres. Kriel remains the midfield constant in a Springboks side renowned for rotation. His latest performance against New Zealand was slightly different from his usual attacking influence. After Kurt-Lee Arendse was forced off following a head injury, Kriel was moved to the left wing during the early stages of the Test and consequently spent much of the afternoon concentrating on his defensive responsibilities.
That versatility is another reason he remains in the XV. Kriel can comfortably move around the backline without his defensive standards dropping, while his experience continues to provide stability in an often-changing Springbok backline.
12. JORDIE BARRETT – NEW ZEALAND & HURRICANES
RETAINS PLACE
Barrett was at the heart of New Zealand’s victory, combining outstanding attacking decision-making with huge defensive work. Barrett once again demonstrated why he is arguably the most complete inside centre in Test rugby.
The All Blacks initially had to survive on scraps against South Africa, but Barrett made virtually every opportunity count. His decision-making in attack was outstanding, while his ability to operate as a secondary playmaker gave New Zealand another route through the Springbok defence.
Perhaps more importantly, Barrett stood up to the physical challenge without the ball. He made 15 tackles and won five turnovers as New Zealand repeatedly disrupted South Africa’s possession. It was the sort of complete midfield performance that perfectly explains why he retains his place.
11. LOUIS BIELLE-BIARREY – FRANCE & BORDEAUX-BÈGLES
RETAINS PLACE
Back-to-back Six Nations Player of the Championship awards make the French winger impossible to dislodge, even with Bielle-Biarrey not featuring in the Nations Championship, as he gears up for his club return.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has rapidly become one of rugby’s most devastating finishers. After scoring eight tries in the 2025 Six Nations, he somehow raised the standard again with nine in France’s 2026 title-winning campaign. His four-try display against England was the obvious highlight, but his consistency is arguably more impressive.
Explosive acceleration, outstanding anticipation and an instinct for finding space have made the 22-year-old one of the game’s most feared attackers. Even with the Southern Hemisphere’s heavyweights in action, there is no moving the French flyer from our World XV for now.
10. RUBEN LOVE – NEW ZEALAND & HURRICANES
REPLACES: FINN RUSSELL – SCOTLAND & BATH
Love’s rise to the All Blacks No.10 jersey has accelerated dramatically after another composed performance against South Africa. Love has gone from promising prospect to one of the most intriguing fly-half stories in world rugby.
The Hurricanes playmaker entered the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series facing enormous competition for the All Blacks’ No.10 jersey, with Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Josh Jacomb all in the wider conversation. Love is now holding onto the shirt, and we back him to take over the spot in our current World XV from the one and only Scotland maverick Finn Russell.
Against South Africa, he remained composed throughout a brutally physical Test and successfully converted four of New Zealand’s five tries. He was not the most influential All Black in attack, with Jordie Barrett and Cam Roigard taking much of the creative responsibility, but Love continually looked to inject himself into the game and showed several threatening moments.
The most impressive aspect is how quickly he has adapted to Test rugby. With the pressure of the Springboks at Ellis Park providing his biggest examination yet, Love looked increasingly comfortable.
9. CAM ROIGARD – NEW ZEALAND & HURRICANES
RETAINS PLACE
Roigard’s tempo, decision-making and control against South Africa further strengthen his claim as the world’s leading scrum-half, as an all-Wellington axis is formed at the halfbacks.
Cam Roigard was superb once again on both sides of the ball. His box-kicking was accurate and provided New Zealand with an important territorial weapon, while his decision-making when the All Blacks had attacking opportunities was consistently excellent. His pass for Will Jordan’s opening try was particularly impressive, quickly putting Jordan into space and allowing New Zealand to exploit the Springboks’ defensive structure.
Roigard’s ability to change the speed of a game is becoming one of his defining qualities. He can slow proceedings down with a perfectly weighted kick before suddenly injecting enormous tempo when an opportunity appears. His partnership with Love and Jordie Barrett is developing rapidly, as the Hurricanes form a crucial spine within Dave Rennie’s New Zealand back-line.
