{"id":605548,"date":"2026-05-26T22:26:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T22:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/605548\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T22:26:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T22:26:08","slug":"best-xv-in-world-rugby-right-now-no-antoine-dupont-page-2-of-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/605548\/","title":{"rendered":"Best XV in World Rugby Right Now \u2014 No Antoine Dupont &#8211; Page 2 of 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>1 Ox Nche<\/p>\n<p>Springbok prop Ox Nche has built his reputation on immense power and elite scrummaging technique.<\/p>\n<p>Compact and explosive, his lower centre of gravity gives him a clear advantage against taller opponents. Beyond the set piece, he contributes through tireless defence and impressive mobility around the field.<\/p>\n<p>He also became the first prop to receive a nomination for World Player of the Year in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>2 Malcolm Marx<\/p>\n<p>Malcolm Marx has become the benchmark for hookers in the modern game.<\/p>\n<p>Dominant in contact, relentless in his work rate, and destructive at the breakdown, he has redefined expectations for the position.<\/p>\n<p>After being crowned World Rugby Player of the Year, he became only the second hooker after Keith Wood to win the men\u2019s 15s award, and the first since 2001.<\/p>\n<p>3 Joe Heyes<\/p>\n<p>Leicester Tigers tighthead Joe Heyes has emerged over the past year as one of the leading players in his position.<\/p>\n<p>His scrummaging has improved significantly and is now one of the strongest aspects of his game, which remains essential for any top level prop.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside his set piece work, he continues to contribute effectively around the field and was one of the few England players who consistently impressed during the Six Nations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ers.pxf.io\/2R5MOO\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">England Rugby 2026 Home Kit now available<\/a>! \u26aa\ud83c\udf39<\/p>\n<p>4 Eben Etzebeth<\/p>\n<p>One of rugby\u2019s most intimidating figures, Eben Etzebeth has anchored the Springbok pack for more than a decade.<\/p>\n<p>With over 130 caps, the towering lock has led through physical dominance and relentless competitiveness.<\/p>\n<p>A World Cup winner and South Africa\u2019s most capped player, his presence consistently raises the level of those around him.<\/p>\n<p>His season appears to be over following an injury suffered in April, but few would doubt his ability to return stronger.<\/p>\n<p>5 Tadhg Beirne<\/p>\n<p>There seems to be very little Tadhg Beirne cannot do.<\/p>\n<p>Whether operating in the second row or at blindside flanker, he remains central to Andy Farrell\u2019s Ireland side.<\/p>\n<p>He led the Six Nations in lineout steals, topped the competition for jackals and turnovers won, and also ranked among the leading tacklers.<\/p>\n<p>His relentless work rate provided a platform for Ireland throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>6 Siya Kolisi<\/p>\n<p>Few leaders in world sport possess the influence of Siya Kolisi.<\/p>\n<p>Rising from humble beginnings to become South Africa\u2019s first black captain, he lifted the Rugby World Cup in both 2019 and 2023.<\/p>\n<p>His leadership extends far beyond rugby, representing hope and unity for millions.<\/p>\n<p>On the field, Kolisi combines relentless effort with calm authority, while his story and character continue to shape a legacy that reaches beyond the sport itself.<\/p>\n<p>7 Pieter-Steph du Toit<\/p>\n<p>Recognition inevitably follows effort, and few players embody that more than Pieter-Steph du Toit.<\/p>\n<p>His 28 tackle performance in the 2023 World Cup final remains one of the greatest individual displays the game has seen.<\/p>\n<p>Now a two time World Rugby Player of the Year at 33, he continues to represent consistency, resilience, and intelligence in defence.<\/p>\n<p>Relentless in contact and tactically sharp, he perfectly reflects South Africa\u2019s competitive identity.<\/p>\n<p>Even with limited recent club appearances, his standing at the top level remains unquestioned.<\/p>\n<p>8 Ardie Savea<\/p>\n<p>Ardie Savea\u2019s move to Moana Pasifika carried significant symbolic importance, and he backed it up with exceptional performances.<\/p>\n<p>His influence raised standards within the squad, inspired historic victories, and earned him the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year award.<\/p>\n<p>Explosive, tireless, and inspirational, he remains central to the identity of the All Blacks.<\/p>\n<p>Although his subsequent move to Japan may count slightly against him, his quality and influence remain undeniable.<\/p>\n<p>EDITORS PICKS: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"1 Ox Nche Springbok prop Ox Nche has built his reputation on immense power and elite scrummaging technique.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":605549,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[5903,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-605548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-rugby","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/605548","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=605548"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/605548\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/605549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=605548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=605548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=605548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}