Six Springboks selected in Mike Tindall and Bismarck du Plessis’s 2025 World XV
Six Springboks selected in Mike Tindall and Bismarck du Plessis's 2025 World XV
Mike Tindall and Bismarck du Plessis have named six Springboks and three England players in their 2025 World XV.
Appearing on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, here are the duo’s picks:
Backs
15 Thomas Ramos: It was a toss-up between Ramos and Will Jordan, with Du Plessis choosing the Frenchman and Tindall opting for the All Blacks star. The deciding factor, Tindall conceded, was that Ramos won more silverware in 2025.
14 Damian Penaud: Both pundits agreed that the French flyer was the man for the job, citing his “ability to turn up in the right place and make something out of nothing” as his major quality. Tommy Freeman was given the nod as a close second.
13 Ollie Lawrence: Despite limited playing time in an England shirt, Tindall felt that the Bath star had credit in the bank, claiming: “Whenever he’s played for England, he’s always looks like a threat for us.” Jesse Kriel was considered, but Tindall got his man.
12 Damian De Allende: Both pundits were keen to have one of the Springbok centres included, and with outside centre best suiting Lawrence, the obvious choice was the hugely experienced De Allende.
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey: With 33 tries in 30 matches, Bielle-Biarrey is without a doubt the most in-form winger in the world. Tindall labelled him a “freak”, calling him “out and out gas”. There was also a note to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso from Tindall, but there was only one real winner this time.
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: The most defenders beaten in the Rugby Championship and the most tries scored by a South African fly-half in history, with nine. “There’s not a debate,” claimed Tindall. Finn Russell and George Ford were given honourable mentions.
9 Jamison Gibson-Park: No Antoine Dupont in the list this time, but the talent remained. Mentions of Cameron Roigard and Tomos Williams – but Cobus Reinach was the closest contender. Du Plessis reflected on the South African scrum-half’s “tenacity” and “the way he conducted himself” in his return to the front of Springbok rugby. Gibson-Park edged the vote, however, based on his “influential” performances for the British and Irish Lions in the summer.
Forwards
8 Ardie Savea: Ben Earl was considered, but when you’ve got the former World Player of the Year ready to take up the mantle at eight, it’s difficult to say no.
7 Tom Curry: Curry proved why he’s considered one of the greatest players in world rugby with some giant performances in the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia. In as big an occasion as a Lions Test match, Curry once again proved that he is a big-game player.
6 Pieter-Steph du Toit: The two-time World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year was in fine form once again this year. He was a shimmering wrecking ball in the Springbok pack, striking fear into even the greatest oppositions in the world. Noting the back-row potential, Tindall concluded: “People playing against them wouldn’t be very happy.”
5 Tadhg Beirne: The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour Player of the Series. Du Plessis is a huge fan of Beirne, saying: “He definitely gets the nod from my side.” Asked if he’d choose Beirne over Maro Itoje, he responded simply: “At the moment, yes, 100%.” Will Skelton and Eben Etzebeth were also considered.
4 Maro Itoje: British and Irish Lions and England captain. He’s back in the best form of his life, but Tindall admitted that his game has changed. He said: “When he first started playing the game he made more line breaks, more carries. But now he does all the dirty work, he makes 25 tackles a game, he’s calling lineouts, he’s effective at lineout time, we’re not seeing quite as many steals over the ball from him.” Despite this, Itoje’s stock is clearly still high. Tindall did joke: “We could choose one of the South African locks, but they all get red-carded, so we want to finish with 15 men.”
3 Thomas du Toit: An incredible year of rugby for the versatile prop. He won the treble with Bath and achieved great international success with the Springboks.
2 Malcolm Marx: The 2025 World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year – there was no way he wasn’t making the starting team. Dan Sheehan could have been a close second, but Du Plessis was so quick to select the hooker that no other options were mentioned.
1 Ox Nche: Referencing Nche’s “Salads don’t win scrums” quote, the duo agreed that his power in the scrum, plus his work around the park, makes him the most effective loosehead prop in the world. Ellis Genge was considered for his work as a leader and a motivator, as well as his technical skills, but Nche, having recently been nominated for World Player of the Year, pipped him to the spot.