Autumn Nations Series Team Of The Week | Springboks Lay Down Marker

Autumn Nations Series Team Of The Week highlights the best performers from Week 2, as New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina deliver statement wins.

Nov 10, 2025 by Philip Bendon

Autumn Nations Series Team Of The Week | Springboks Lay Down Marker

Week 2 of the Autumn Nations Series saw the Southern Hemisphere land three big-time victories over their northern rivals.

It started with New Zealand breaking Scottish hearts once again with a late Damian McKenzie try, before the Springboks reasserted their dominance over France at the Stade de France later that evening.

Closing out the weekend with a record win, Argentina shredded Wales at the Principality to send out yet another reminder that Los Pumas are building nicely two years out from the World Cup.

Amongst the three big performances, Ireland wore down Japan at the Aviva Stadium in a less-than-stellar performance, but one that will have rebuilt some level of confidence ahead of a big fortnight against the Wallabies and Springboks.

On the topic of the Wallabies, Italy pulled off an exceptional comeback to down Joe Schmidt’s side for a signature win under Gonzalo Quesada.

At Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, England overcame a game Fijian side with the help of its bench and a few tight calls by the match officials.

Elsewhere, Georgia pulled off a comeback win over the USA in what was a cracking test match away from the bright lights of Tier 1 rugby.

Here is the full run of match results from Week 2:

Ireland 41, Japan 10 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Attendance: 50,060
New Zealand 25, Scotland 17 at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Attendance: 67,144
England 38, Fiji 18 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, Attendance: 78,678
Italy 26, Australia 19 at Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Attendance: 23,191
South Africa 32, France 17 at Stade de France, Paris, Attendance: 79,000
Argentina 52, Wales 28 at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Attendance: 50,185

Taking into account all of the action, here is our Autumn Series Team of the Week:

1. Andrew Porter – Ireland

Barged over for a try that put his side firmly out of sight.

The score was just reward for a busy and dominant performance from the loosehead who brutally handled a lightweight, but technically sound, Japanese pack.

Around the park, his work rate was immense, both at the breakdown and in general play, where he linked well as a distributor.

2. Malcolm Marx – South Africa

Quite possibly the best hooker of the past decade, albeit Dan Sheehan, Peato Mauvaka and Codie Taylor are right there with him.

Standing up on the biggest occasions, Marx once again was front and center for his side’s big win over Les Bleus in Paris.

Dominating the point of contact and constantly harassing the French breakdown, it was an old-school bully-boy performance from the Boks hooker.

3. Thomas du Toit – South Africa

Hands down, the best prop in the Premiership is finally fulfilling his destiny as a world-class test player.

Given his ability to play both sides of the scrum, du Toit has, at times, endured mixed form.

Now firmly settled in at tighthead, the Bath star has been consistently excellent at both set-piece and with his carrying game.

4. Eben Etzebeth – South Africa

Enjoy him while he is here folks, the most-capped Springbok of all time delivered an all-time performance in Paris.

Harassing Nolann le Gerrac at the breakdown, man-handling big French ball carriers, winning a turnover and plucking four line-outs, Etzebeth had a strong shift as the world champions silenced the French crowd once again.

5. Fabian Holland – New Zealand

From his unlikely rise as a young player growing up in Holland who had a dream of being an All Black, to where he is now, Fabian Holland's story is quite spectacular.

Yet, it would all be for very little if he didn’t perform in the black jersey.

Since making his debut, he has been immense for Scott Robertson’s side, and over the past fortnight, he has gone to another level.

Dominating the line-out and smashing Scottish ball carriers, Holland was world-class at Murrayfield.

6. Pieter-Steph du Toit – South Africa

Another all-time Springbok had another great evening at the Stade de France.

Leading the charge for his pack when they went down to 14 players, the World Player Of The Year once again topped the tackle charts for his side.

Add in his line-out prowess and power in the close-range carries, and one gets a full picture of just how good the silent assassin was.

7. Jac Morgan - Wales

In the space of five minutes against Los Pumas, Morgan did what most players will do in 80.

He won three turnovers, one of which came from single-handedly stopping an Argentine maul.

It would be a cruel twist that Morgan would score a try for his side only to depart with what looks like an injury that will keep him out of the rest of November.

8. Caelan Doris – Ireland

Reminded Irish and Lions’ fans what they were missing when he was injured.

Ireland’s skipper bullied Japanese defenders all afternoon with several barnstorming carries.

Most importantly, his ball-playing ability played a key role in opening an initially sluggish-looking attack.

There are several questions in Irish Rugby at the moment, but who the best player is certainly is not one.

9. Cam Roigard – New Zealand

If any scrumhalf is going to challenge Antoine Dupont’s place atop the halfback pecking order, then it surely will be the All Black No. 9.

As he seems to do on every big occasion, Roigard scored a brilliant try that sucked the air out of the Murrayfield crowd off the bat.

Such was his influence that Scott Robertson kept him on for the full 80 minutes.

10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – South Africa

Bar none, the young Springboks star is the best fly-half in the world at this moment.

Even when some feel he is not at his best, he still gets the job done, and that was the case in Paris.

Hitting a few early penalties to keep his side in the fight, Feinberg-Mngomezulu then upped the ante and dragged his side over the line.

11. Matteo Carreras - Argentina

Simply electric at the Principality, Carreras set up the opening try and scored one of his own in a 110-meter performance made from 10 carries.

Beating five defenders and pulling off four line breaks, the Bayonne winger was unplayable at times for the Welsh defense.

12. Tommaso Menoncello – Italy

Quite possibly the best inside center in the game at the moment, the Italian star was spectacular as the Azzurri turned the tide on the Wallabies.

While his stat line might not jump off the charts this week, when his side needed a big moment, Menoncello delivered.

13. Leicester Faingaʻanuku – New Zealand

Filling a position of need for the All Blacks, the former Toulon star has firmly cemented himself as the man in possession of the 13 shirt.

Pulling off a clutch turnover late in the match was a snapshot of his X-factor ability.

This defensive moment of brilliance was matched by his table-topping four defenders beaten.

14. Bautista Delguy – Argentina

Mirroring his wing partner, Delguy had a storming performance at the Principality Stadium, which was capped with a well-taken try.

Combining top-end pace with vision and a lethal step, Delguy is incredibly difficult to handle in one-on-one situations.

15. Damian McKenzie – New Zealand

Quite possibly his best performance in a black jersey, the Chiefs star entered the contest early in the second half and slotted in at fullback when Caleb Clarke departed.

Scoring the winning try was the icing on the cake, but it was McKenzie’s kicking game that completely stunted Scottish momentum.

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