Selection: Best combined Springbok XV of all time

During a time when the Springboks are currently out of action, it always makes for an interesting debate to consider what a ‘perfect’ South African team could look like.

In this hypothetical exercise, we have only considered players from the last three decades, and have settled on what we believed is the best combined Springbok XV of all time.

Here is our Springbok dream team

15 Percy Montgomery: One of the greatest goal-kickers of all time, he was the glue in the 2007 World Cup-winning team. He is still the leading Springbok points scorer of all time, with a tally of 893 from 102 Tests.

14 Cheslin Kolbe: Just so much X factor, he simply has to be included in any ‘world xv’, having become the sort of player who makes magic moments look so easy.

13 Jaque Fourie: Boasting both physicality and unexpected mobility, Fourie was a ‘Rolls-Royce’ at outside centre, and the sort of player no opposition would want to come up against.

12 Frans Steyn: Such a difficult choice to omit Jean de Villiers and Damian de Allende here, but Steyn was a once-in-a-generation player, and at his best, there was simply no one like him.

11 Bryan Habana: Perhaps the easiest choice of all, he was one of world rugby’s greatest wings of all time, and would walk into any team during his prime.

10 Handre Pollard: If players from the ‘amateur’ era were being considered, Naas Botha may have been selected, but it’s impossible to argue with Pollard’s Big Game Temperament, two World Cup titles, 80 Tests and 772 points.

9 Fourie du Preez: Undoubtedly one of the greatest scrumhalves to ever grace the game. He simply had it all.

8 Duane Vermeulen: Everything you could want in a No 8. Physical, strong on defence and as a ball carrier, as well as someone who could offer an option at the lineouts and serve as a threat at the breakdown.

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit: The Malmesbury Missile is arguably already one of the greatest Springboks of all time, with the 32-year-old having taken his game into the stratosphere in recent times, which has included stunning performances in two victorious World Cup finals.

6 Schalk Burger: Another generational talent, when Burger was in his prime, there was simply no player who could have such an impact on the game.

5 Victor Matfield: Arguably the greatest No 5 lock to have ever graced the game, there can be no debates here.

4 Eben Etzebeth: Although some might argue that Bakkies Botha should be paired with Matfield here, the fact is that Etzebeth is in a class of his own, having recently become the most-capped Springbok of all time. And there is every chance he could even go on to reach the 150 Test mark.

3 Frans Malherbe: One of the Springboks’ unsung heroes over the last few years, Malherbe’s impact should never be underestimated. Quite simply one of the most formidable scrummagers to have ever laced up his boots for the Boks.

2 Malcom Marx: Probably the most difficult selection of all. Bismarck du Plessis, John Smit and Bongi Mbonambi could all easily earn selection here, but Marx is a different beast as one of the most incredibly dynamic and impactful modern-day hookers in the world.

1 Tendai Mtawarira: Extremely tough choice between Beast and Os du Randt, but the powerhouse prop from Zimbabwe established cult status over a 102 Test career that saw him establish himself as one of the game’s most iconic looseheads.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THESE SELECTIONS?

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