Springboks stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
World XV team of the year: We make our picks!
With the 2022 Test rugby season having drawn to a close, we take up the challenge of selecting a World XV of the top players from this year.
Springboks stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
If the 2022 Test rugby season taught us anything, it is certainly that there is very little to choose between the top five teams in world rugby, and next year’s World Cup looks guaranteed to be a highly competitive affair. When reflecting back on this past season of international rugby, it’s also incredibly difficult to try and attempt to select a World XV of the standout players.
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As it stands, Ireland and France can be found at the top of the World Rugby rankings, followed closely by New Zealand, South Africa and England.
Below, we have attempted to select the best possible line-up from 2022, and it undoubtedly does make for a challenging selection. (*Be sure to also let us in the comments section what team you would pick)
Here is our World XV:
15 Jordie Barrett (NZ), 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (SA), 13 Lukhanyo Am (SA), 12 Damian de Allende (SA), 11 Marika Koroibete (Aus), 10 Johnny Sexton (Ire), 9 Antoine Dupont (Fra), 8 Ardie Savea (NZ), 7 Josh van der Flier (Ire), 6 Siya Kolisi (SA), 5 Cameron Woki (Fra), 4 Eben Etzebeth (SA), 3 Frans Malherbe (SA), 2 Malcolm Marx (SA), 1 Ethan de Groot (NZ).
Meanwhile, in case you missed, we have also cast an eye towards the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and selected what we think would be the best possible Springboks lineup if everyone was fit.
In 2022, the Springboks had to cope for large periods without superstars such as Handre Pollard, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Lukhanyo Am, Cheslin Kolbe and even Frans Steyn.
It has presented opportunities for other players to make their mark, with the likes of Jasper Wiese, Damian Willemse and Kurt-Lee Arendse really making the most of their chances.
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The 2023 World Cup is now fast approaching, and there are sure to be some selection headaches when it comes to selecting the wider 33-man squad, let alone when it comes to narrowing it down to a matchday 23.
South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has already spoken of how he feels the Springboks have significantly improved their depth in 2022.
“Having this kind of depth is super exciting and the all the players have been given road maps they have to work on,” he commented in a recent interview. “In the end, the 33 guys (picked for the World Cup) will be selected on the technical and fundamental strength of the progress they’ve made in terms of their road maps.”
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SO, IF EVERYONE IS FIT, THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE WILL BE THE BEST SPRINGBOKS’ 23:
Springboks run-on XV – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Makazole Mapimpi.
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*Let us know in the comments section who you would pick in your preferred Springboks’ matchday 23 if everyone was fit!
