1. OX NCHE – SOUTH AFRICA & SHARKS

RETAINS PLACE

Ox Nche retains the No. 1 jersey in the World XV after once again proving that he is among the most destructive scrummagers in Test rugby. His impact this time came in a slightly different role, with Rassie Erasmus making a dramatic late reshuffle that saw Nche moved from the starting XV to the bench alongside Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw.

The decision ultimately proved inspired. Nche entered the contest as part of the Springboks’ formidable Bomb Squad late in the first half and immediately made his presence felt. The Sharks prop brought enormous physicality to the scrum, helping South Africa establish a platform that became increasingly important as the match progressed. After another bruising display at the set piece, Nche remains the World XV’s premier loosehead.

2. MALCOLM MARX – SOUTH AFRICA & KUBOTA SPEARS

RETAINS PLACE

Malcolm Marx retains the No. 2 jersey and, if anything, his latest performance has made his position at the top of the hooker rankings even more secure. Like Ox Nche, Marx was involved in Rassie Erasmus’ late reshuffle, moving from the starting XV to the bench just hours before kick-off. It made absolutely no difference to his influence.

Introduced as part of the Springboks’ Bomb Squad, Marx immediately brought his trademark intensity to the contest. His presence around the breakdown, physicality in contact and ability to generate momentum through close-range carries helped South Africa wrestle control of the Test and ultimately secure a statement victory over the All Blacks.

There is little left to debate at No. 2. The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year continues to combine elite set-piece work with extraordinary physicality around the field, while his influence remains evident regardless of whether he starts or enters from the bench. Marx is very firmly the best hooker in the world right now, and his latest performance only strengthens that claim.

3. THOMAS DU TOIT – SOUTH AFRICA & SHARKS

REPLACES: WILCO LOUW – SOUTH AFRICA & STORMERS

Thomas du Toit reclaims the No. 3 jersey this week, restoring the World XV’s preferred tighthead after Wilco Louw’s excellent performance in the previous Test against the All Blacks. Louw did everything asked of him against New Zealand, but there is simply no dislodging a fit and firing du Toit when the Springbok prop is producing at this level.

With Rassie Erasmus springing another late change to his starting XV, du Toit was moved into the revised matchday plan alongside the reshuffled Springbok front row. Rather than allowing the disruption to affect him, the tighthead responded with another powerful display at scrum time, repeatedly taking the fight directly to the All Blacks pack.

Du Toit’s form is particularly encouraging with the new URC season approaching with the Sharks. Having established himself as one of the world’s premier tightheads, the prop is beginning to rediscover the level that made him such an important figure for Bath. Louw’s challenge remains a serious one, but du Toit has reclaimed his place through another authoritative scrummaging performance. At his best, there are no tightheads in world rugby capable of matching him.

4. EBEN ETZEBETH – SOUTH AFRICA & SHARKS

REPLACES WARNER DEARNS – JAPAN & TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS / HURRICANES

Eben Etzebeth returns to the No. 4 jersey after producing the kind of imposing performance that has made him one of the most revered forwards of his generation. Warner Dearns’ remarkable rise and outstanding Japan form made him impossible to overlook last time, but Etzebeth’s latest showing was a timely reminder that the veteran Springbok remains capable unplayable shifts.

The Sharks lock was outstanding against New Zealand, disrupting the All Blacks’ lineout with one particularly telling intervention. Etzebeth rose to challenge a New Zealand throw-in, throwing the set piece into chaos and forcing a series of frantic contests for possession. It was classic Etzebeth: physical, aggressive and relentlessly disruptive.

His influence extended beyond the lineout. The most-capped Springbok also produced several intelligent blocks and slap-downs on New Zealand kicking attempts, with one sequence helping create the platform for Cheslin Kolbe’s try. Dearns remains one of the most exciting young locks in world rugby, but Etzebeth has reclaimed his place through sheer impact.

5. FABIAN HOLLAND – NEW ZEALAND & HIGHLANDERS

RETAINS PLACE

Holland retains the No. 5 jersey after another exceptional performance, continuing a remarkable return to Test rugby following his injury layoff. The 2025 Breakthrough Player of the Year has looked increasingly influential with every appearance, and his latest showing against South Africa provided another reminder of why he is already regarded as one of the game’s elite locks.

Holland brought a huge physical presence to the contest and relished his battle with Eben Etzebeth, matching the veteran Springbok in the collisions while contributing strongly around the park. His work at the set piece was again impressive, but it was his skill in attack that produced one of the standout moments of his performance.

The lock demonstrated remarkable awareness and handling ability to produce a sublime offload that released Leroy Carter and created the opportunity for the All Blacks winger to score. It was a moment that highlighted the unusual combination of power and finesse Holland brings to the second row.

6. SIYA KOLISI – SOUTH AFRICA & STORMERS

REPLACES: PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT – SOUTH AFRICA & TOYOTA VERBLITZ

The Springbok captain is back in the World XV. Siya Kolisi returns to the No. 6 jersey after producing a definitive captain’s performance in his return to the Springbok starting side. Having missed the previous Test with a hamstring issue, the double World Cup-winning skipper showed no signs of rust, immediately making his presence felt through a relentless display of physicality, leadership and work rate.

Kolisi helped lay the foundations for South Africa’s opening try with a direct carry from a maul, providing the kind of hard-running contribution that has long been a feature of his game. He then continued to throw himself into the breakdown, working tirelessly in the most congested areas of the pitch and helping the Springboks establish control. His own try was perhaps the perfect reward for that effort. Kolisi spotted the opportunity, ran an excellent line and sliced through the All Blacks’ goal-line defence to finish a superb individual contribution.

His evening was ultimately cut short just two minutes into the second half, but the damage had already been done. It was a hugely encouraging return from injury and another reminder of the influence Kolisi can have when operating at his best. Pieter-Steph du Toit drops out despite his own outstanding performances and status as one of the world’s most complete forwards. But Kolisi’s combination of leadership, physicality and match-defining contributions gives him the edge this week.

7. FRASER MCREIGHT – AUSTRALIA & QUEENSLAND REDS

Fraser McReight takes over the No. 7 jersey from Ardie Savea after continuing to produce the form of his career. The Queensland Reds flanker has become increasingly difficult to overlook in the conversation around the world’s best opensides, and another outstanding international performance has finally earned him a place in the World XV.

McReight was at his relentless best against Los Pumas, scoring another international try while maintaining the extraordinary work rate that has become synonymous with his game. He was constantly involved around the breakdown, hunting turnovers and competing for possession, while his defensive effort never dipped throughout a fiercely contested encounter.

The numbers underline just how much work he put in. McReight completed 13 tackles, matching fellow Australian back-rower Tom Hooper, while also carrying more than 10 times. More importantly, his influence extended well beyond the statistics, with his ability to repeatedly appear at the point of contact making him a constant nuisance against Argentina.

Savea’s versatility and brilliance made him a compelling selection at No. 7 last week, but McReight’s current form is simply impossible to ignore. However, that does not mean Savea is entirely out of our World XV…

8. ARDIE SAVEA – NEW ZEALAND & FREE AGENT

REPLACES: JASPER WIESE – SOUTH AFRICA & URAYASU D-ROCKS

Ardie Savea reclaims the No. 8 jersey after another performance that underlined why he remains one of the most complete and influential loose forwards in world rugby. Savea is hands down the standard bearing number eight with overall form concerned.

Having shifted to openside flanker last week to accommodate another outstanding No. 8 in Jasper Wiese, Savea moves back into his customary position after once again showing his ability to make a decisive impact for the All Blacks. Savea was alongside Will Jordan as New Zealand’s standout performer against the Boks. His biggest contribution came when he surged off the back of a lineout, carved through the Springbok defence and creating the platform for New Zealand’s second try.

With Fraser McReight now taking the No. 7 jersey, Savea’s return to No. 8 allows the World XV to accommodate both outstanding loose forwards in their preferred roles. Jasper Wiese drops out despite his destructive showing against New Zealand, but Savea’s latest performance was simply too influential to overlook. Also, major props to Jaoquin Moro of Argentina – he’s one to watch.

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