As their Northern Hemisphere rivals migrate back home for some well-deserved rest and summer sunshine, the Southern Hemisphere’s ‘Big Four’ are getting set to once again duke it out for the ultimate Southern supremacy.
Ahead of the All Blacks defending their crown against the reigning World Champion Springboks, new-look Wallabies and intriguing Los Pumas, here is an ultimate Southern Hemisphere XV based on their July International Series form.
1. Ox Nché – South Africa
Debate over, the Sharks loosehead is currently the best in the world in his position. Dominant at scrum time, exceptional in loose play, and a menace at the breakdown, Nché is the complete package and will be the anchor of the Bok pack through to the next World Cup. Runner-up: Ethan de Groot – New Zealand
2. Malcolm Marx – South Africa
Sustaining yet another devastating injury as he picked up a fractured leg against Ireland, Marx, when fit, is one of the very best in the world. Coming up with a big-time turnover in both test matches against Ireland, Marx reinforced just why he was so impactful from the bench as a game-changing physical punch. This being said it feels like a shame that he isn’t starting at the present moment, given that he is clearly the best option available to the Boks. Runner-up: Codie Taylor – New Zealand
3. Tyrell Lomax – New Zealand
Like a manna from heaven, Lomax’s step up to a truly elite level over the past two seasons is a major boost for the All Blacks new coaching staff. Facing stiff competition from his countryman Fletcher Newell for the starting role, the All Blacks are in the luxurious position of having a strong one-two punch, which will be invaluable against the Springboks in The Rugby Championship. Runner-up: Eduardo Bello – Argentina
4. Eben Etzebeth – South Africa
Without waxing lyrical about the Bok icon too much, he is an ageless wonder who remains as dynamic and powerful as the day he burst onto the scene over a decade ago. Against Ireland, his battle against Joe McCarthy was a storyline to follow on its own. Hovering in the top five for most major categories (tackles, carries, line-outs won) for the Boks in July, he remains their best locks. Runner-up: RG Snyman – South Africa
5. Scott Barrett – New Zealand
Taking like a duck to water as the All Blacks skipper, ‘the middle brother’ is the perfect foil for the enigmatic Scott Robertson as they lead a new era of All Blacks Rugby. Ranking only behind his younger brother Jordie in terms of tackles made against England, his shift from the four to five shirt to partner Etzebeth would be arguably the most physical pairing in World Rugby. Runner-up: Patrick Tuipulotu – New Zealand
6. Rob Valetini – Australia
Sneaking past the impressive Siya Kolisi for our number six shirt, topped the carries charts for Joe Schmidt’s side with thirty-four across the two tests. Clearly operating in a similar role to Kolisi as the first choice momentum generator as a carrier from the set piece, his ability to play six or eight to a high level makes him the perfect jigsaw piece for Schmidt’s side heading into The Rugby Championship. Runner-up: Siya Kolisi – South Africa
7. Pieter-Steph Du Toit – South Africa
South African Rugby’s totem pole in the backrow, PSDT gives opponents PTSD with his huge hits and off-the-charts, in-your-face work rate. Once again topping the tackle charts with thirty-five across the two tests against Ireland whilst also carrying twenty times, PSDT continues to be the workhorse in the Bok pack as he approaches his 32nd birthday. Runner-up: Fraser McReight – Australia
8. Ardie Savea – New Zealand
Defying father time, Savea looked more explosive than he ever had ever been as he seemingly found an extra level of oomph in contact. Whilst his stats were not of the chats by his own high standards, with twenty carries for eighteen meters across the two tests, the impact of these carries, and his tackles were significant and came at crucial junctures. Kwagga Smith had a strong series for the Springboks, whilst Valetini is also an option here if Kolisi is to get the nod at six. Runner-up: Kwagga Smith – South Africa
9. Grant Williams – South Africa
Coming off the bench in Pretoria and Durban, Williams was a game-changer as he upped the ante by several notches. Clearly his skill set is better suited a wide-wide game than Faf de Klerks with his exceptional trail running ability and elite pace but it was his impressive kicking game that stood out. The 27-year-old is just about hitting his peak years, and his combination with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu looks like a potent one for the Boks going forward. Runner-up: Jake Gordon – Australia
10. Santiago Carreras – Argentina
Away from the glitz and glamour of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, Los Pumas overcame an abject first test to down a young French side on the occasion of Pablo Matera’s 100th cap. Pulling the strings masterfully, the Gloucester playmaker, who played the bulk of the season at fullback for his club, had a great outing in the second test as he shredded the French defence. Carrying the ball eighteen times for ninety-four meters and beating three defenders, he proved unequivocally that he has the ability to execute Felipe Contepomi’s all-court attacking game. Runner-up: Damian McKenzie – New Zealand
11. Mark Tele’a – New Zealand
Far and away the stand-out option on the left winger, Tele’a was the difference for the All Blacks against England as he crossed the whitewash twice in the second test. Topping the All Blacks carry charts with thirty-four carries for 133 meters, he continually went searching for work as he did plenty of hard yards in the field. Across the board, Tele’a is an elite winger with exceptional finishing ability, top-end pace and exceptional vision. Runner-up: Kurt-Lee Arendse – South Africa
12. Hunter Paisami – Australia
At the heart of every great Joe Schmidt team has been an elite midfield and in Reds star Paisami he has a top class option on the inside berth. Carrying the ball on twenty-three occasions against Wales, more often than not into heavy traffic, Paisami was the perfect safety net for flyhalf Noah Lolesio. His ability to break the gain line and rock solid defensive capabilities give Schmidt the perfect midfielder to build his team around. Runner-up: Jordie Barrett – New Zealand
13. Jesse Kriel – South Africa
Exceptional in test one with ball in hand before putting in a serious defensive shift in test two, Kriel looks to have firmly wrestled back his number thirteen shirt from Lukhanyo Am ahead of The Rugby Championship. Whilst question marks remain about his game-breaking ability when the Bok pack doesn’t completely get on top, he was the standout outside centre from the Southern Hemisphere in the July series. Runner-up: Reiko Ioane – New Zealand
14. Filipo Daugunu – Australia
Etching Springbok flyer Cheslin Kolbe and All Blacks pace man Sevu Reece for this shirt, the former Melbourne Rebel had himself a series against Wales. Gaining a whopping 188 meters from thirty-three carries, the Fijian-born flyer swung the second test firmly in his team’s favour with a moment of individual brilliance following a missed Noah Lolesio touch-finder. Runner-up: Cheslin Kolbe – South Africa
15. Beauden Barrett – New Zealand
Class is permanent, as they say, and Barrett reminded the rugby public that he is far from done as a top-level playmaker. He was not quite as electric as he was in his mid-twenties in terms of pace, but he still had more than enough speed to punish opponents. What truly sets him apart is his elite game understanding whilst his cool, calm and composed nature when he entered two tense tests ultimately got the All Blacks over the line and crucially took the pressure off Damian McKenzie. Runner-up: Tom Wright – Australia
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