South African rugby flexed its global muscle again this week as six Springboks were named in the 2025 World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team.
It’s a haul that felt less like a selection and more like a scrum shove that pushed world rugby’s spotlight firmly toward the southern tip of Africa.
With the Boks having bulldozed their way to 11 wins in 13 Tests, defended a trio of trophies, and held firm at No. 1 in the world, the Dream Team announcement merely underlined a season in which the men in green and gold have moved with the cohesion of a perfectly timed driving maul and the sting of a loose-forward tackling drill.
World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Malcolm Marx, fellow nominees Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, along with Thomas du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Cheslin Kolbe, all cracked the prestigious XV.
The @WorldRugby Dream Team for 2025 is out, and six #Springboks made the cut – more here: https://t.co/CvD67bcU5H 🤝#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/rVMTR23FRF
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 25, 2025
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander hailed the achievement:
“I’d like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Malcolm, Pieter-Steph, Ox, Thomas, Sacha and Cheslin on behalf of SA Rugby and the entire country for being named in the Dream Team.”
He added that the sextet’s inclusion was no accident but the result of relentless excellence:
“They have all played exceptionally well this season and deserve this honour. Being named in this team is a massive achievement… To see six Springboks included is a testament to the quality of players we have in South Africa.”
It was a year of marquee milestones. Marx’s Player of the Year award marked a second consecutive SA win in the category, while youngster Ethan Hooker cracked a nomination for Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Alexander noted:
“As SA Rugby, we could not be prouder of them and the entire Springbok team.”
He also paid tribute to the environment behind the performances:
“The Springboks are a true symbol of what we can achieve as a country… It is a brotherhood more than anything else and I’d like to congratulate coach Rassie Erasmus, his coaching staff and management team for ensuring that the players remain the best version of themselves on and off the field.”
With one Test left – this weekend’s clash against Wales in Cardiff – the Boks stand on the brink of finishing their November tour unbeaten for the second straight year.
Alexander tipped his cap once more:
“Once again, the Springboks have had a remarkable season… To retain the top place on the world rankings in such a competitive year is exceptional. We wish them luck as they aim to finish their November tour unbeaten.”
For four of the selected players, Nche, Marx, Du Toit and Kolbe, it is a repeat honour, having been named in the 2024 Dream Team as well.
What an unstoppable lineup 💪
Introducing the World Rugby Men's 15s Dream Team of the Year 2025#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/axYIBlnNbx
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2025
2025 World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team (SA players in bold)
15 Will Jordan (NZ), 14 Cheslin Kolbe (SA), 13 Huw Jones (Scotland), 12 Len Ikitau (Australia), 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France), 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (SA), 9 Cam Roigard (NZ), 8 Harry Wilson (Australia), 7 Tom Curry (England), 6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (SA), 5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 4 Maro Itoje (England), 3 Thomas du Toit (SA), 2 Malcolm Marx (SA), 1 Ox Nche (SA)
