In the first of a six-part series, SA Rugby magazine’s writers pick their world team of the year, based on performances throughout 2022.
Zelím Nel
Malcolm Marx ranks among the best players in the world, regardless of position, and his prop mates are the best in their positions, regardless of whether they start or play off the bench.
Marx didn’t miss any of South Africa’s 13 Tests in 2022 as the defending champions won eight for a win rate of 62%. That percentage improved to 80% when Marx was in the No 2 jersey as the Bok hooker won four of five starts.
The Stormers duo of Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe is peerless as no other individual or combination can match them for scrum power and contributions in general play.
Dylan Jack
Two Boks and a Frenchman make up my best front row for 2022. Springbok stalwarts Frans Malherbe and Malcolm Marx are joined by Les Bleus loosehead Cyril Baille.
Malherbe enjoyed one of his finest seasons for the Springboks, in a year that saw him win his 50th Test cap, while Marx continued to show why he is the world’s best hooker. Meanwhile, Baille was the most-improved front ranker, going toe to toe with Malherbe in November and giving as good as he got in a fascinating scrum contest.
Devin Hermanus
World Cup-winning Springboks Frans Malherbe and Malcolm Marx and All Blacks rising star Ethan de Groot are my standout front row for 2022.
Malherbe notched his 50th Test cap this season with typical unsung grace that belied the tighthead prop’s unmatched influence in the set piece, rucks and defence, while Marx’s Man of the Match performance as South Africa pummeled New Zealand capped his 50-cap appearance, as well as cemented his status as the benchmark for all hookers on the planet. Meanwhile, Kiwi loosehead De Groot forced his way back into the All Blacks squad after his fitness was called into question.
Ollie Keohane
Steven Kitshoff has consistently been one of the best loosehead props in the world for the last few years, and whether he is wearing No 1 or No 17 has remained irrelevant in terms of his impact. Master of the dark arts of scrumming, mobile and physical around the field, and an unrelenting presence throughout every match. When Kitshoff plays, there is a marked difference in the Springbok dynamic.
If there was ever doubt as to the depth of Malcolm Marx’s quality, he put any debate to rest this past year. Given the chance to start for the Springboks in 2022, Marx was the premier force at hooker by a mile. He has the on-field presence of an extra flank, and his unique natural abilities combined with the fine-tuning of the basics of hooker play as he has matured, has propelled him to top of the pile in his position – worldwide.
In the modern game where props are expected to look like flanks and apparently offload like centres, Frans Malherbe defies this narrative by bossing opponents at scrum time, smashing runners in close quarters and pumping ruck after ruck. Malherbe is a tighthead by age-old description, and playing nearly every game this year he was the standout performer in his position.
Simon Borchardt
Frans Malherbe enhanced his reputation as a scrum master this year, while having a high work rate on defence and carrying the ball well. Malcolm Marx made a massive impact for the Boks, as a starter and a super sub. He memorably won five turnovers in his 50th Test, against the All Blacks in Nelspruit, and the Bok coaches must still regret not starting him again a week later at Ellis Park. Cyril Baille scored as great a try from close range against the Boks and the loosehead scrummed very well for France, making an impact as a ball-carrier and at the ruck.
Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images
