Three South Africans, including a veteran Springbok, makes it onto a hot-list of the best players looking for a new club.

Compiled by UK website Ruck.co.uk, the list forms a team of players who are out of contract and are still looking for a new home before the start of the 2021-22 European season.

There are three South Africans — Bismarck du Plessis, Nic Groom and Michael Rhodes, on the list.

Du Plessis had been playing for Montpellier in France since 2015, Rhodes spent the past six seasons at English giants Saracens and journeyman Groom has represented several teams over the past few years, including Northampton Saints (2016-2018), the Lions (2018-2019), Edinburgh (2019-2021) and London Irish (2021).

It remains to be seen where these players will end up next.

Free agents XV:

15. Chris Pennell (England)
14. Hugo Bonneval (France)
13. Siale Piutau (Tonga)
12. Scott Williams (Wales)
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (England)
10. Will Hooley (USA)
9. Nic Groom (South Africa)
8. Maama Vaipulu (Tonga)
7. Marco Mama (Zimbabwe)
6. Michael Rhodes (South Africa)
5. Oliver Atkins (Scotland)
4. Cory Hill (Wales)
3. Vladimir Podrezov (Russia)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)
1. Darryl Marfo (Scotland)

Photo: Sylvian Thomas/AFP