RugbyDump's World Team of the Year 2024

The year 2025 is almost upon us, so here at RugbyDump, we’ve decided to celebrate some of those who have transcended the sport in 2024. Compiling a list of the top men’s players in each major position, our two editors, Jack Tunney and Phillip Bendon, have provided their pick of the best talents worldwide to create an ultimate ‘World XV’ for 2024.

Check it out here:

Props

Ox Nche

Nche has proved time and time again that salads certainly don’t win scrums, and with that, the big unit has had yet another impressive campaign for the Sharks and Springboks. His low centre of gravity and immense strength make him a deadly scrummager and fully deserved of this number-one spot.

Tadhg Furlong

The 32-year-old will likely go down as Ireland’s greatest-ever prop. Furlong has the hands of a 10, the step of a winger and all the capabilities that make him such a great prop. He was unfortunate not to have won any silverware in 2024 but will have been pleased with his individual performances.

Hooker

Dan Sheehan

At 6-foot-3 and boasting remarkable mobility and strength, Dan Sheehan brings a unique blend of athleticism and skill to the hooker position. The Leinster and Ireland star has rapidly become one of the premier players in world rugby, thriving in both domestic and international competition.

Sheehan burst onto the scene with Leinster, helping the team secure the Pro14 title in his debut season as part of their dominant run of four consecutive championships. His talent quickly caught the eye of Ireland’s selectors, leading to his international debut in November 2021 against Japan. Just weeks later, he crossed the try line for his first Test score in a commanding performance against Argentina.

Elevated to Ireland’s starting hooker role during the 2022 Six Nations due to Ronan Kelleher’s injury, Sheehan delivered in spades. He started three matches, all victories, as Ireland clinched the Triple Crown.

Though injury side-lined Sheehan for much of 2024, his absence was keenly felt.  Bendon noted,  “The Irish line-out’s just been a disaster since pre-World Cup, but it always looked better when Sheehan’s there.” With Kelleher and rising star Gus McCarthy performing admirably, Sheehan will be eager to reclaim his spot as Ireland’s first-choice hooker ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour.

“When fit and firing again,” Bendon added, “you can just see how much Ireland miss him.” Many agree Sheehan remains the standard-bearer for hookers globally—an indispensable force for both Leinster and Ireland.

Second Rows

Eben Etzebeth

A hero in South Africa and a global inspiration, Etzebeth surpassed his former teammate Victor Matfield this year to become the most-capped player in his country’s history. His commanding presence on the field, combined with exceptional skill and raw strength, set him apart as the leading lock in the world.

Tadhg Beirne

Ireland have an embarrassment of riches in the second row, and Tadhg Beirne is no exception. The giant second row is expected to be one of the first names on the plane to Australia for the British and Irish Lions tour next year with good reason. His 2024 Six Nations exploits included a 98% tackle rate, the joint most lineout steals and the second-most line breaks by any second row – proving just how important he is to both Ireland and Munster.

Back rows

Pieter-Steph Du Toit

Far and away the best player in professional rugby in 2024, South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit tops our list this year,  a decision grounded in his extraordinary impact on the game. A two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, including in 2024, du Toit exemplifies the pinnacle of backrow play with his unique combination of athleticism, skill, and relentless work rate.

Du Toit’s performances on the grandest stages cement his reputation as a generational talent. In the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, he delivered a masterclass, earning Player of the Match honours after a staggering 28 tackles. His defensive dominance and tireless effort were pivotal as the Springboks secured their second successive World Cup title. It’s no exaggeration to say that without du Toit, South Africa might not have achieved this historic feat.

One of du Toit’s defining attributes is his seemingly boundless stamina. Game after game, he tops the tackle charts, often leading the defensive effort for the Springboks. His ability to cover vast areas of the field while maintaining precision and power in every collision sets him apart from his peers. Offensively, he combines physicality with the finesse of a former lock, making him a threat in both the loose and set pieces.

Du Toit’s leadership and consistency have also been crucial. His presence in the back row has been a stabilising force for South Africa, allowing them to excel under immense pressure from an expectant and passionate fanbase.

Caelan Doris

Taking the silver in our rankings this year is Ireland skipper Caelan Doris. Dominating all before him in 2024, Doris stood tall as the only non-South African nominee for the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year award, a testament to his elite standing among the sport’s greats.

Doris is a truly dynamic force, combining raw power with deft footwork that often leaves defenders grasping at air. His ability to generate momentum before and through contact is unmatched, making him a critical component of Ireland’s attack and defensive systems. His influence has been pivotal in Ireland’s back-to-back Six Nations triumphs and their historic series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2022. More recently, his leadership and physicality shone during Ireland’s drawn 2024 series against the reigning World Champion Springboks, particularly in a brutal encounter in Durban where Doris was instrumental in outmuscling the Springboks on their home turf.

As captain of Ireland, Doris has shown maturity beyond his years, blending his psychological acumen—honed during his studies—with a relentless drive to improve. His performances elevate those around him, solidifying his reputation as a generational talent.

Doris’s career trajectory suggests he has the potential to go down as Ireland’s greatest-ever forward. His combination of athleticism, rugby intelligence, and leadership embodies the future of modern rugby. At just 26 years old, Doris is only beginning to etch his legacy, but already, he has become a player every aspiring backrower should strive to emulate.

Ardie Savea

We’ve ranked Ardie Savea as the third-best backrow in professional rugby, cementing his place among the game’s elite. While his 2024 season didn’t quite reach the staggering heights of his 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year campaign, Savea remained a talismanic figure for the All Blacks.

Savea’s hallmark is his unparalleled work ethic, earning him the respect of teammates and opponents alike. As the iconic Scottish coach Jim Telfer once said, “There are two types of rugby players. There are honest ones, and there’s the rest.” Savea epitomizes the honest player—a tireless worker who leads by example on and off the pitch. Whether dominating the breakdown, executing ferocious tackles, or carrying the ball with explosive power, Savea’s impact is undeniable.

Despite being deployed at Number 8 in recent seasons, the emergence of Wallace Sititi suggests a likely shift for Savea back to his favoured position of openside flanker. This tactical adjustment could allow him to further excel as a breakdown specialist and defensive lynchpin, areas where he is already world-class.

Savea’s move to Moana Pasifika for the 2025 season is monumental. It underscores his commitment to elevating Pacific Island rugby, both as a player and a leader. This decision has the potential to redefine Moana Pasifika’s trajectory while inspiring a new generation of talent.

With his humility, relentless drive, and exceptional skills, Savea remains the standard for what a professional rugby player should strive to be.

Scrum Half

Antoine Dupont

Winner of the Top 14, Champions Cup and Men’s World SVNS Player of the Year in 2024, the talismanic nine stepped up his already legendary status. Touted by many as the greatest scrum-half of all time and by some as the greatest player of all time.

Fly Half

Handre Pollard

Handre Pollard continued to cement his legacy in 2024 as one of rugby’s greatest flyhalves. RugbyDump voted him the best flyhalf in professional rugby, highlighting his unmatched ability to deliver in clutch moments. Despite fierce competition from rising stars Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu for the Springboks’ number 10 jersey, Pollard remained Rassie Erasmus’ go-to man when the stakes were highest.

While Tony Brown’s innovative attacking structures brought a fresh dynamic to the Springboks, which many felt would be more suited to his rivals, Pollard demonstrated his versatility and intelligence, seamlessly adapting to a higher-tempo running game. He proved he’s more than capable of orchestrating expansive play while maintaining his trademark ability to manage territory, control the tempo, and make game-winning decisions.

Pollard’s performances in crucial matches underscored why he remains indispensable to the Springboks. Whether slotting decisive kicks under immense pressure or calmly guiding his team through tense moments, his composure was unrivalled. His ability to balance attacking flair with pragmatism ensured South Africa remained a force on the world stage.

As debates around the Springboks’ evolving style continue, one thing is certain: Handre Pollard will always make the right call to put his team in the best position to win, which will keep him as a key contributor in the Boks’ pursuit of a third successive Rugby World Cup title in 2027.

Centres

Damian de Allende

Often overlooked by the media in favour of his outside partner in the centres, but de Allende possesses all the skills of a legacy twelve. Huge in the contact area and has the softest touches with the ball in hand. Will be remembered this autumn for reducing Ben Earl to dust as South Africa saw England off at Twickenham.

Jesse Kriel

Just over a year ago, Kriel was considered a rotation Springbok player, but now the ruthless centre keeps even the former Men’s World Player of the Year, Lukhanyo Am out of the squad. The 30-year-old is arguably the greatest in the world at the basics, doing nothing majorly flashy but providing the most reliable and consistent midfield displays. A true great of the modern game who would make any side in the world.

Wingers

Kurt-Lee Arendse

Kurt-Lee Arendse has cemented his place as one of the world’s premier wingers since bursting onto the scene with the Boks in 2022.  The Bulls flyer has hooked up with fellow speed merchant Cheslin Kolbe to form the best wing partnership in international rugby. In 2024, he built on his 2023 World Cup showing with standout performances in the Rugby Championship and the Autumn Nations Series, underlining why RugbyDump ranks him as the second-best winger in the world.

Now 24 test matches in his career, the 28-year-old Paarl native he has scored 18 international tries, with eight coming in 2024 alone. Key moments included a spectacular brace against Australia in Brisbane and a crucial try in South Africa’s victory over Wales in Cardiff. His ability to exploit defensive gaps and maintain composure under pressure was instrumental in the Springboks’ dominant international campaign.

At the club level, Arendse was one of the most exciting players in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship before heading over to Japan to link up with the Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars on a loan deal. Since his move, he has already taken centre stage as one of the marquee players in the league.

Cheslin Kolbe

RugbyDump’s number-one winger in the world once again showcased his world-class abilities in 2024, solidifying his reputation as one of rugby’s most versatile and dynamic players. The Bok speedster, known for his agility, speed, and remarkable power despite his 5-foot-7 frame, delivered standout performances for the Springboks and Tokyo Sungoliath. Kolbe’s brilliance earned him a nomination for the prestigious World Rugby Player of the Year award, coming up just short behind his Bok teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Kolbe played a pivotal role in South Africa’s successful season, scoring key tries against Ireland in July and Argentina in The Rugby Championship. His dazzling footwork and defensive resilience made him an integral part of the Springboks’ strategy, helping secure a 71.79% winning record across his 39 international tests to date. Kolbe’s performances during the Autumn Nations Series, particularly his two-try masterclass against England at Twickenham, with his vision leaving England fullback Freddie Steward grasping at ghosts.

At the club level, Kolbe continued to thrive with Tokyo Sungoliath, where the open space and up-tempo nature of the league plays into his hands.

As a two-time Rugby World Cup champion and Olympic medalist, Kolbe’s 2024 season was just the latest in Hall of Fame solidifying campaigns.

Fullback

Will Jordan

The 26-year-old was moved to his preferred fullback position by Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson this year. Used to commanding the skies for the Crusaders, Jordan has slotted into the All Black 15 shirt with ease, tackling hard, running all the right lines, and displaying all the key factors required for a top-level last-man. Rocking a try a game in international rugby, Jordan is on track to become the All Blacks’ highest-ever try scorer – quite the achievement considering the quality of previous players and campaigns.