Six Springboks named in World Rugby Men’s Dream Team after stellar season

The Springboks celebrated more success on Tuesday, after it was revealed that six South Africans had been named in the World Rugby Men’s Dream Team.

Props Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, hooker Malcolm Marx, loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomenzulu and wing Cheslin Kolbe were all included in the XV after an impressive year that has seen the Boks win 12 of their 14 matches thus far. They will play their last Test of the season against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday (kick-off 5.10pm); and are expected to add another scalp to their victory tab.

The Boks remain unbeaten on their European tour, having already beaten Japan, France, Italy and, most recently, Ireland this past weekend. They will finish the season as the No 1-ranked team in the world and Rugby Championship champions.

After their 24–13 victory over the Irish, Marx was also named World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year.

“I’d like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Malcolm, Pieter-Steph, Ox, Thomas, Sacha and Cheslin on behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country for being named in the Dream Team,” said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander, in a statement on Tuesday.

“They have all played exceptionally well this season and deserve this honour. Being named in this team is a massive achievement, especially since it consists of the best players throughout the world. To see six Springboks included is a testament to the quality of players we have in South Africa ...

“The Springboks are a true symbol of what we can achieve as a country and as a team when everyone works together,” Alexander added.

“It is a brotherhood more than anything else and I’d like to congratulate coach Rassie Erasmus, his coaching staff and management team for ensuring that the players remain the best version of themselves on and off the field.”

Although the Welsh Test will close the Boks’ season this weekend, there will be one last commitment thereafter. On December 3, the reigning World Cup champions will discover their pool opponents for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, when the draw for that tournament takes place.

World Rugby Men’s XVs Dream Team

Dream XV: 15 Will Jordan (NZ), 14 Cheslin Kolbe (SA), 13 Huw Jones (Scotland), 12 Len Ikitau (Australia), 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France), 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (SA), 9 Cam Roigard (NZ), 8 Harry Wilson (Aus), 7 Tom Curry (England), 6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (SA), 5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 4 Maro Itoje (England), 3 Thomas du Toit (SA), 2 Malcolm Marx (SA), 1 Ox Nche (SA)