5 Fourie du Preez \u2013 \u201cThe Master Technician\u201d<\/p>\n
Clubs: Blue Bulls, Bulls, Suntory Sungoliath
Country: South Africa
Height: 1.82m
Caps: 76
Achievements: Rugby World Cup winner (2007), 3\u00d7 Super Rugby champion, 2\u00d7 South African Rugby Player of the Year<\/p>\n
Fourie du Preez epitomised the modern scrum-half with his tactical kicking, flawless passing, and game management. A key figure in South Africa\u2019s 2007 World Cup victory, he also steered the Bulls to three Super Rugby titles and won multiple Tri Nations championships. <\/p>\n
His intelligence and execution earned him recognition as one of the most complete No. 9s of all time and set the blueprint for the position in the professional era.<\/p>\n
4 Joost van der Westhuizen \u2013 \u201cThe Warrior\u201d<\/p>\n
Clubs: Blue Bulls, Bulls
Country: South Africa
Height: 1.88m
Caps: 89
Achievements: Rugby World Cup winner (1995), Tri Nations champion (1998), South Africa captain, 38 Test tries<\/p>\n
Joost van der Westhuizen revolutionised the scrum-half role with his physicality, pace, and attacking threat. At 6ft 2in, he was a new breed of No. 9, scoring an astonishing 38 tries in 89 Tests. <\/p>\n
He was a hero of South Africa\u2019s 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph, remembered for his fearless defence on Jonah Lomu in the final. After rugby, Joost showed remarkable courage in his battle with motor neurone disease, founding the J9 Foundation before his death in 2017. His impact, both on and off the field, makes him an immortal of the game.<\/p>\n
3 Aaron Smith \u2013 \u201cThe Conductor\u201d<\/p>\n
Clubs: Highlanders, Toyota Verblitz
Country: New Zealand
Height: 1.71m
Caps: 124
Achievements: Rugby World Cup winner (2015), most-capped All Black scrum-half, Highlanders Super Rugby champion (2015)<\/p>\n
Aaron Smith transformed the tempo of New Zealand rugby. His lightning-fast service enabled the All Blacks\u2019 high-octane attack for over a decade, making him the most capped No. 9 in New Zealand history.<\/p>\n
A world champion in 2015, Smith also led the haka on 35 occasions, becoming the first M\u0101ori scrum-half to reach 100 Tests. His precision and consistency secured his place as one of the finest All Blacks of the modern era.<\/p>\n
2 Antoine Dupont \u2013 \u201cThe Phenomenon\u201d<\/p>\n
Clubs: Castres, Toulouse
Country: France
Height: 1.74m
Caps: 59 (still playing)
Achievements: 2\u00d7 European Champions Cup, 3\u00d7 Top 14 champion, 3\u00d7 Six Nations Player of the Championship, Olympic gold (Sevens, 2024)<\/p>\n
Antoine Dupont has redefined what a scrum-half can be. With explosive speed, dazzling skill, and composure beyond his years, he has driven both Toulouse and France to major triumphs, including a Grand Slam in 2022. <\/p>\n
A three-time Six Nations Player of the Championship, Dupont also etched his name into history by winning Olympic gold in rugby sevens. At just 28, he is already considered one of the greatest to play the position, with plenty more to come.<\/p>\n
1 Gareth Edwards CBE \u2013 \u201cThe Maestro\u201d<\/p>\n
Clubs: Cardiff RFC
Country: Wales
Height: 1.73m
Caps: 53
Achievements: 7\u00d7 Five Nations titles, 3\u00d7 Grand Slams, 2\u00d7 Lions series winner<\/p>\n
Widely regarded as the greatest Welsh player, Gareth Edwards was the lynchpin of Wales\u2019 golden age in the 1970s. A supreme athlete and game-breaker, he played 53 consecutive Tests and starred on two historic Lions tours: the victorious 1971 series in New Zealand and the unbeaten 1974 tour to South Africa. <\/p>\n
He is immortalised by \u201cThat Try\u201d for the Barbarians against the All Blacks in 1973, often cited as rugby\u2019s greatest moment. Edwards remains the gold standard for scrum-halves.<\/p>\n
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