The official Planet Rugby Top 50 men’s players of 2025 continues. In the run-up to the new year, we reveal the players who have made it into our list. Here’s 40-31.
It has been another terrific year of rugby union, which has seen the Springboks yet again show their dominance and the British & Irish Lions return to winning ways.
After revealing our 50-41 a couple of days ago, let’s see who has made our latest section.
Planet Rugby’s Top 50 men’s players of 2025
40. Ruan Nortjé (South Africa, lock)
2025 season: Nortjé captained the Bulls domestically but really stepped up for South Africa at Test level this year, fast becoming a mainstay in the team. His work-rate was outstanding, and he looks every bit a long-term international for the Springboks.
Performance highlight: In the Autumn Nations Series win over France in Paris, Nortje came off the bench at the start of the second half and led the way at the coalface for the Boks, who were playing with 14 men after Lood de Jager was red carded.
39. Ethan Hooker (South Africa, utility back)
2025 season: Hooker’s versatility contributed to South Africa’s wins and he was also a World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee. With the Sharks, he was also excellent at centre or wing.
Performance highlight: Hooker’s performance highlight was his unbelievable first start in Test rugby in the Springboks’ victory against the All Blacks in Wellington.
38. Fabian Holland (New Zealand, lock)
2025 season: Holland’s breakthrough helped New Zealand in the Rugby Championship and Autumn Nations Series after a strong campaign at the Highlanders. Won World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Performance highlight: Announced himself to the global game with a fine all-round performance on his Test debut against France in Dunedin and emptied the tank during a full 80-minute effort.
37. Gregory Alldritt (France, number eight)
2025 season: Alldritt’s leadership aided France‘s Six Nations win while with he also stood out for La Rochelle.
Performance highlight: In the Six Nations win against Ireland, Alldritt carried 25 times for 110 metres.
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36. Charles Ollivon (France, flanker)
2025 season: Like Antoine Dupont, Ollivon suffered a serious ACL knee injury in January 2025, missing the entire Six Nations, the summer tour and most of the club season with Toulon… and moves down as a result.
Performance highlight: On his comeback start against Fiji, Ollivon was named Player of the Match. He followed this with another standout performance against Bath, underlining his explosive return to elite form despite the nine-month lay-off.
35. Jasper Wiese (South Africa, number eight)
2025 season: Wiese’s carries powered South Africa’s successes and his importance to the Boks was evident when he returned from his suspension. With his club Urayasu D-Rocks, he was solid at the base.
Performance highlight: After serving a four-match ban, he was superb in his comeback in the Boks’ Rugby Championship win over the All Blacks as he was calm at the base and delivered a fine all-round performance.
34. Tommy Freeman (England, wing)
2025 season: Freeman cemented his role as England‘s strike runner, combining aerial dominance with sharp finishing. At Northampton Saints, his pace and off-ball work were key to their attacking shape.
Performance highlight: Freeman was one of the Red Rose’s stars in the Six Nations as he scored a try in each of their five matches but his highlight was in their narrow 26-25 win over France in Round Two as his five-pointer proved crucial in the bigger scheme of things.
33. Len Ikitau (Australia, centre)
2025 season: Ikitau remained a defensive anchor for the Wallabies this year and provided sharp attacking lines in a solid year. At the Brumbies, his distribution and tackle efficiency were standout features before his switch to Exeter.
Performance highlight: After the Wallabies lost their first two Tests against the British and Irish Lions, Ikitau caught the eye with an excellent attacking display in the third and final encounter with the tourists in Sydney which his side won.
32. Damian de Allende (South Africa, centre)
2025 season: De Allende’s physicality was central to South Africa’s Rugby Championship title win and autumn dominance. He also impressed with the Wild Knights at club level.
Performance highlight: After the Boks suffered a shock loss to the Wallabies in Johannesburg, which he did not play in, De Allende was back for the return match in Cape Town and was brilliant either side of the ball as the world champions gained revenge.
31. Henry Pollock (England, flanker)
2025 season: Pollock‘s breakthrough helped England to claim four wins in the Six Nations and an autumn clean sweep. His form saw him earn a Breakthrough Player nominee. With Northampton, he shone in their run to the Investec Champions Cup final.
Performance highlight: In their Autumn Nations Series clash with New Zealand which England won 33-19, the rookie made a big impact off the bench as he proved a real handful to the All Blacks’ defence in the final quarter.
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