Aaron Smith, one of the top scrumhalves in the world, recently took to social media to request questions from his followers. Smith chose the famous Springboks Fourie du Preez and Bryan Habana when asked to select the best backline of all time.
Smith also selected four New Zealanders: Ben Smith, Dan Carter, Jonah Lomu, and Ma’a Nonu. The other pick went to Irishman Brian O’Driscoll.
In the meantime, if the 2022 Test rugby season taught us anything, it is that there is nothing to separate the top five teams in international rugby, and next year’s World Cup should be a fiercely contested event. It is also exceedingly tough to identify a World XV of the best players from this previous international rugby season.
Currently, Ireland and France are atop the World Rugby standings, closely followed by New Zealand, South Africa, and England.
Below, we have endeavored to select the greatest possible lineup from 2022, which is without a doubt a difficult task. (*Please also indicate in the comments area the team you would like.)
15 Jordie Barrett is included in CRAIG LEWIS’ World XV of the Year (NZ), 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (SA), 13 Lukhanyo Am (SA), 12 Damian de Allende (SA), 11 Marika Koroibete (Aus), 10 Johnny Sexton (Ire), 9 Antoine Dupont (Fra), 8 Ardie Savea (NZ), 7 Josh van der Flier (Ire), 6 Siya Kolisi (SA), 5 Cameron Woki (Fra), 4 Eben Etzebeth (SA), 3 Frans Malherbe (SA), 2 Malcolm Marx (SA), 1 Ethan de Groot (NZ).
Ange Capuozzo (Italy), Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Kurt-Lee Arendse comprise MARIETTE ADAMS’ World XV of the Year (SA) 13 Lukhanyo Am (SA) (SA), 12 Damian de Allende (SA), 11 Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina), 10 Johnny Sexton (Ireland), 9 Antoine Dupont (France), 8 Ardie SaveA (New Zealand), and 7 Josh van der Flier (Netherlands) (IRL), 6 Siya Kolisi (SA), 5 Tadhg Beirne (Ire), 4 Eben Etzebeth (SA), 3 Frans Malberbe (SA), 2 Malcolm Marx (SA), 1 Steven Kitshoff (SA).
»All Blacks great selects two Springboks for the best backline of all time«