Who really is the best in the world? A combined Springboks and Ireland XV

David Skippers
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Ireland centre Bundee Aki and Springbok back-row Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Debate has raged during the 2024 Six Nations as to which side really is the best in the world, despite South Africa being the current world champions.

However, such is Ireland’s displays in the northern hemisphere’s flagship tournament so far, many believe that they are the true number one team.

Wales legends Jonathan Davies and Sam Warburton have both stated that Andy Farrell’s men are the ‘best team in the world’, so we thought we would put together a combined XV.

South Africa’s selections are obviously based off their Rugby World Cup form, while for the Irishmen, it is a mixture.

Springboks and Ireland combined XV

15 Hugo Keenan (Ireland): Damian Willemse was excellent during the World Cup but Keenan, at the moment, is a better international full-back. Willemse may usurp him during the next four-year cycle, but the Irishman combines dominance under the high ball with excellent running lines, superb backfield coverage and a genuine counter-attacking threat.

14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa): Even if Mack Hansen was fit, Arendse was always going to take this slot. Arendse enjoyed a stunning start to his international career and continued his fine form at the global tournament. He only touched down twice in France, slightly reducing his incredible tries-per-game ration, but started every knockout match on their way to the title.

13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa): Garry Ringrose, who has missed the first three Six Nations games, and Robbie Henshaw are fine players, but Kriel became a key cog in that Springboks side. Some people were worried following Lukhanyo Am’s injury but, in truth, he was not really missed. The 30-year-old was utterly outstanding defensively in the difficult outside centre channel, which was vital to their success.

12 Bundee Aki (Ireland): The experienced centre is showing that the World Cup was not just a one-off. Aki elevated his level from good international player to truly world-class in France and there has not been a drop-off during the 2024 Six Nations. It is difficult to leave out the excellent Damian de Allende, but the Ireland man has been truly exceptional over the past few months.

11 James Lowe (Ireland): A tough one, with Cheslin Kolbe a Springbok favourite, but Lowe played well in the World Cup, despite Ireland’s quarter-final exit and has been excellent since returning from injury ahead of the Six Nations. France, Italy and Wales have all struggled to contain him, with him scoring twice so far in the tournament.

10 Handre Pollard (South Africa): Johnny Sexton’s retirement seemingly left a gaping hole at fly-half for Ireland, but Jack Crowley has settled in superbly. However, there are still some big tests to come for Crowley where he will need to prove himself, which means South Africa’s match-winner in the semi-final and final, Pollard, comfortably gets the nod in our eyes. On the evidence of 2024, the 24-year-old may well become the best in the world, but he still has plenty to learn.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland): Sets the tempo superbly for Farrell’s men. He’s got a great pass and a swift delivery, which enables Ireland to constantly challenge the opposition defence. He also has a fine kicking game that gives his side the opportunity to put pressure on aerially. With Faf de Klerk not playing his best in 2023 – Cobus Reinach started the quarter-final and semi-final – this was an easy choice.

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8 Caelan Doris (Ireland): One of Ireland’s most improved players, the Leinsterman has made the number eight position his own for club and country in recent years courtesy of several superb all-round showings. Blessed with great athleticism, Doris is a superb attacker who creates try-scoring opportunities for his team-mates and for himself. He is also solid in the lineouts and on defence where he regularly empties the tank.

7 Siya Kolisi (South Africa): The Springbok skipper comes in ahead of 2022’s World Rugby Player of the Year award winner Josh van der Flier, who has gone off the boil somewhat over the past 12 months. However, Kolisi has played consistently well during that period as he has impressed with his ball carrying ability and defensive work, which has been superb, while his leadership skills are also of a high standard.

6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa): This was a difficult decision as Ireland’s new captain, Peter O’Mahony, never lets his country down but we couldn’t leave out Du Toit, who was one of the Boks’ stars at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Du Toit is renowned for his high work-rate on defence but the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year also puts his body on the line as a ball carrier and is a handy option at the back of the lineout.

5 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa): Irishman Tadhg Beirne is unlucky to miss out but we could not omit the Springbok enforcer from our team as he remains one of the world’s premier locks despite his advancing years. Whether on attack or defence, the 32-year-old regularly gives his all for the Bok cause while his lineout work is also of a high standard and he seldom takes a backward step in contact.

4 Joe McCarthy (Ireland): Despite being just 22, he plays with a maturity beyond his years and announced himself last month with a superb all-round performance in Ireland’s demolition of France in his first Six Nations Test and walked off with the man of the match award. McCarthy came to the fore with great physicality on attack and defence in that clash, while also impressing with his lineout work and he has cemented his spot in his country’s first choice XV.

3 Frans Malherbe (South Africa): Although he hasn’t been in action since last year’s Rugby World Cup, due to a back injury, there is little debate about his spot in this team as he is arguably the best tighthead prop in the world when fully fit. Malherbe’s dominance in the scrums is well documented while he also defends well, particularly at close quarters.

2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland): While South Africa have two outstanding hookers in Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi, Sheehan gets in ahead of them as he possesses an outstanding all-round skill-set which makes him a must for our team. Brilliant in the execution of his core duties, he is also an explosive ball carrier who knows his way to the whitewash. His try-scoring prowess has seen him scoring four five-pointers in this year’s Six Nations already.

1 Ox Nche (South Africa): South Africa pride themselves on their scrummaging power and in Nche they have one of the game’s best in that area, who came to the with some outstanding performances in the set-piece at last year’s World Cup in France. Apart from his excellent scrummaging, the 28-year-old is also solid with ball in hand and does well on defence as he gets in over Andrew Porter.

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