A formidable and tireless Springbok duo have been recognised among the standout performers over the last calendar year of international rugby.
Selecting a best of the best from those who starred for club and country over the past 12 months, Midi Olympique’s lineup includes five Frenchmen, four Irishmen, two Kiwis and one Englishman.
An all-rounder more than a classic opensider, Siya Kolisi is always at his best in green and gold and the Bok skipper took it up a notch in 2022, adding a notable power element to his forays in the wide channels and linking play.
He played 12 of the Boks’ 13 Tests for South Africa last year, during which the world champions surrendered their first home loss against Wales, finished second in the Rugby Championship and lost to top-ranked Ireland and France on the November tour.
Joining Kolisi in the star-studded XV is centre Damian de Allende, who also started 12 Tests in 2022. De Allende came into his own for the Boks and Munster, combining his physicality on attack and defence with exceptional distribution and counter-rucking ability.
A surprise omission was Bok hard man and Test centurion Eben Etzebeth, who was by some distance the best lock in the world in 2022, yet was also shockingly not nominated for World Rugby’s Player of the Year.
Midi Olympique’s World XV – 15 Ange Capuozzo (Italy), 14 Damian Penaud (France), 13 Garry Ringrose (Ireland), 12 Damian de Allende (South Africa), 11 Caleb Clarke (New Zealand), 10 Marcus Smith (England), 9. Antoine Dupont (France), 8 Gregory Alldritt (France), 7 Josh van der Flier (Ireland), 6 Siya Kolisi (South Africa), 5 Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 2 Julien Marchand (France), 1 Cyril Baille (France).
MORE: Stefan Terblanche’s Perfect XV
Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
