Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou is rated higher than every member of the current Springbok squad in a Top 100 list of the best players in 2021.
Rugby World magazine has released the top 20 on its list of 100 greatest players of 2021, with the remainder of the list set to be unveiled in the next issue.
Only three South Africans have been included in the top 20, while the All Blacks lead the way with six players, England with four, Australia and France have two each and then one player each from Fiji, Scotland and Wales.
Ireland, who have been one of the most consistent Test teams this year, have no representatives.
France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has been named as the best player in the world right now, followed by All Black No 8 Ardie Savea, England lock Maro Itoje and Wallabies duo Michael Hooper and Tupou, who rounds off the top five.
The only Springboks in the top 10 are centre Lukhanyo Am and wing Cheslin Kolbe, who come in at seventh and eighth, respectively.
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The only other South African listed in the top 20 is Eben Etzebeth, rated the 17th best player after the likes of All Blacks Sam Whitelock (10th), Brodie Retallick (12th) and Richie Mo’unga (15th).
Rugby World’s 20 Best Players in the world:
1. Antoine Dupont (France)
2. Ardie Savea (NZ)
3. Maro Itoje (Eng)
4. Michael Hooper (Aus)
5. Taniela Tupou (Aus)
6. Aaron Smith (NZ)
7. Lukhanyo Am (RSA)
8. Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)
9. Tom Curry (Eng)
10. Sam Whitelock (NZ)
11. Abby Dow (Eng)
12. Brodie Retallick (NZ)
13. Rose Bernadou (France)
14. Beauden Barrett (NZ)
15. Richie Mo’unga (NZ)
16. Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)
17. Eben Etzebeth (RSA)
18. Hamish Watson (Scot)
19. Courtney Lawes (Eng)
20. Josh Adams (Wal)
