Springbok stars dominate Nations Championship selection as ex-England players name their dream XV
Former England players Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson have unveiled their ideal XV following the initial three rounds of the Nations Championship. Their selections, discussed on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, prominently feature seven Springbok players, with no All Blacks making the cut.
Backs selection
In the backline, Damian Willemse was chosen at fullback, having demonstrated strong aerial play against England at Ellis Park and later moving to midfield against Scotland. He also contributed from the bench against Wales in Durban. Cheslin Kolbe was named on the wing, noted for his 15-point contribution against England, which included a try and five conversions. His defensive and aerial skills were also highlighted.
Jesse Kriel, who scored in all three of his matches, including a crucial try against Scotland, was selected at outside centre. Inside centre saw Sione Tuipulotu recognised for his performance against Argentina, where he scored two tries, and his impact against the Springboks. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, another wing, was praised for his consistent performances, gaining 246 metres, making six line breaks, and beating 27 defenders across the tournament.
The halfback pairing features Matthieu Jalibert at fly-half, who also played at fullback against Australia and Japan, showcasing his dynamic play. Maxime Lucu was chosen at scrum-half, with his ability to handle challenging ball and his two tries and numerous assists being key factors in his selection.
Forwards selection
The forward pack includes Jasper Wiese at number eight, who was described as formidable against both England and Wales, scoring a try against Wales. Fraser McReight was selected at openside flanker, with his ruck work and tackle percentage being crucial for the Wallabies. Pieter-Steph du Toit, who was also named player of the series, was chosen at blindside flanker for his consistent world-class performances and high work rate, including additional lineout responsibilities.
In the second row, Emmanuel Meafou, who scored against Australia, was recognised for his work rate and tackling ability. Alongside him, Ruan Nortje was selected for his significant contributions in his opening two matches. The front row consists of Ellis Genge at loosehead prop, known for his scrummaging and powerful carries, and Joe Heyes at tighthead prop, who made 20 tackles against Argentina. Malcolm Marx, the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, was chosen at hooker after strong performances against England and Wales, where he contributed a try and was a force in contact and at the breakdown.
The Springboks were identified as the team of the series in the Nations Championship, having won all three of their matches and scoring 130 points while conceding 49. Their victories included defeating England 45-21, overcoming Scotland 42-28, and a strong performance against Wales. Rassie Erasmus was named coach of the series for guiding the Springboks to an unbeaten run despite making 10 changes to his side after the England match.
Pieter-Steph du Toit earned the player of the series award for his adaptability and consistent high-level play across three different roles and captaining the side at Ellis Park. The breakthrough player of the series was Paul de Villiers, who started all three Tests and demonstrated strong performances, including a breakdown steal in Durban.
The match between South Africa and Scotland, which South Africa won 42-28 at Loftus Versfeld, was highlighted as the game of the series. Japan‘s 27-10 victory over Italy was recognised as the performance of the series, marking their first win in this tier-one competition. The try of the series went to Theo Attissogbe for his score in France‘s match against New Zealand.
The Springboks were also ranked as the top team globally after the Nations Championship, showcasing their dominance in various aspects of the game. They averaged over 43 points per Test and conceded an average of just over 16 points per Test across their three outings.
The Nations Championship‘s Southern Series has concluded with 18 Tests played. The Springboks‘ strong showing, including their unbeaten record and strategic player rotation, has positioned them as a leading force in international rugby.
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Source: planetrugby.com
