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World Rugby

Top 10 South Africa Rugby In 2025 | FloRugby's Top 100

Top 10 South Africa Rugby In 2025 | FloRugby's Top 100

From Kolisi to du Toit, here are the top 10 Springboks stars ranked in the FloRugby World Top 100. See why these South African players stand among the best.

Nov 21, 2025 by Amelia Engstrom
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South Africa long has been home to some of rugby’s most formidable and influential athletes. 

Built on physicality, resilience and a deep competitive spirit, the Springboks have shaped the sport’s identity for generations. Their greatest players blend power with precision, instinct with intensity and leadership with a relentless drive to win. 

This list highlights 10 standout Springboks who continue to elevate the standard of excellence on the field. 

From dominant forwards to game-breaking backs, these athletes embody the pride, passion and tradition that have made South Africa one of the most respected and successful rugby nations in the world.

10. Siya Kolisi | Hollywoodbets Sharks | FloRugby World No. 35

Siya Kolisi stands among rugby’s most influential figures, celebrated not only for his achievements, but for what his story represents.

Raised in Zwide township in Port Elizabeth, he rose from modest beginnings to become a symbol of hope and possibility for people across South Africa and around the world.

Kolisi broke into professional rugby with Western Province in 2011 before becoming a cornerstone of the Stormers, eventually earning the captaincy. His appointment as the Springboks’ first Black captain in 2018 marked a historic turning point for the national team.

Under his leadership, South Africa reached unparalleled heights. 

Kolisi guided the Boks to Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, making him only the second man after Richie McCaw to lift the Webb Ellis Cup twice as captain. He also steered the team to victory in the 2021 British & Irish Lions series and helped secure multiple Rugby Championship crowns.

After a brief spell with Racing 92, he now represents the Hollywoodbets Sharks, continuing to bring intensity and inspiration on the field.

Kolisi’s influence stretches far beyond rugby. 

Through the Kolisi Foundation, he works to advance education, equality and community upliftment, reinforcing his status as a leader whose legacy is as powerful off the field as it is on it.

9. RG Snyman | Leinster Rugby | FloRugby World No. 34

RG Snyman is one of the sport’s true outliers, a player whose physical profile and skill set barely seem real.

Standing 6-foot-9 and weighing 136kg, he moves and handles the ball with the ease of a back, making him just as dangerous in traffic as he is in open space.

A two-time Rugby World Cup champion, Snyman became central to the Springboks’ famed Bomb Squad, providing game-changing impact whenever he entered from the bench. His blend of power, awareness and offloading instinct has made him a matchup nightmare for opponents.

His stint at Munster was marked by both setbacks and success, but even injuries couldn’t dull his influence. When he made the high-profile switch to Leinster, questions quickly turned into praise as he helped the side claim URC honors in 2025.

At his best, few locks in world rugby can rival his athleticism or his feel for the game. Snyman brings both intimidation and creativity, whether he’s rumbling forward in support or pulling off audacious offloads under pressure.

Back to full prominence on the global stage, “The Viking” remains one of rugby’s most striking and unforgettable figures.

8. Handré Pollard | Leicester Tigers | FloRugby World No. 32

Handre Pollard has spent more than a decade as the Springboks’ calming force at fly-half, a playmaker whose poise and résumé place him among South Africa’s greatest.

A two-time Rugby World Cup winner, he has been the steady presence guiding the team through its most pressure-filled moments.

His accuracy from the tee has defined entire tournaments. 

Pollard topped the scoring charts at the 2019 World Cup and delivered every one of South Africa’s points in the nail-biting 12-11 win against New Zealand in the 2023 final. 

With more than 770 points in test rugby, he sits second on the nation’s all-time scoring list.

Pollard’s professional journey began with the Blue Bulls and later took him to Montpellier, NTT Docomo and Leicester, where he played a central role in the club’s Premiership push. In 2025, he returned to Pretoria for a new chapter with the Bulls in the URC.

Before his rise to senior level, he already had star credentials: a Junior World Championship title and the honor of World Rugby Junior Player of the Year.

Across every step of his career, Pollard has combined tactical control, physical presence and a steady temperament, making him one of the most dependable big-game performers South Africa has ever produced.

7. Damian de Allende | Saitama Wild Knights | FloRugby World No. 26

On a team filled with flash and flair, Damian de Allende is the engine room that keeps the Springboks moving forward.

The 33-year-old inside center has become one of South Africa’s most reliable competitors, known for his toughness, defensive bite and willingness to take on the heaviest collisions.

He doesn’t chase highlights. Instead, he pounds over the gainline, snuffs out attacking threats and slips in the understated passes that help unlock bigger moments for others. His game is built on sacrifice, and the Boks have benefited from it for more than 85 tests.

A two-time Rugby World Cup champion, de Allende has personified the physical style that has come to define South African rugby. He may operate out of the spotlight, but he is central to many of the team’s defining victories.

His time across clubs—from Munster to Japan and back—has only refined the edges of an already complete game.

In an age where backline players often dazzle, de Allende supplies something rarer: unshakeable reliability, unselfish work and the steel that championship sides depend on.

6. Damian Willemse | DHL Stormers | FloRugby World No. 23


Damian Willemse has become one of the Springboks’ most dynamic weapons, a backline player whose mix of skill and adaptability gives South Africa options few teams can match.

Capable of starting at fullback, fly-half or center, the Stormers playmaker sees the field with uncommon clarity. His athleticism and composure allow him to shift roles without losing impact, whether he’s directing traffic, counterattacking or breaking defensive lines.

At 27, he already owns two Rugby World Cup titles, making him the youngest player ever to earn that distinction. It’s a remarkable arc for someone who stepped straight into professional rugby from Paul Roos Gymnasium and quickly grew into a fixture for both the Stormers and the national side.

Willemse’s versatility shapes how the Boks construct their bench and approach tactical shifts, and his ability to create opportunities from broken play makes him dangerous no matter where he lines up.

Away from rugby, he puts considerable energy into community and environmental work in his hometown of Strand, reflecting a purpose that stretches well beyond the field.

With his game still evolving, it’s not hard to imagine him chasing a third World Cup medal by 2027.

5. Jesse Kriel | Canon Eagles | FloRugby World No. 19

Few players reflect perseverance quite like Jesse Kriel. 

Long before he became a mainstay of the Springboks midfield, he was a promising schoolboy talent out of Maritzburg College, tipped for big things alongside his twin brother, Dan. Only three years after graduating, he was wearing the green and gold.

More than 85 caps later, Kriel has experienced nearly everything the sport can offer. He has celebrated two Rugby World Cup titles, endured stretches out of the starting lineup and faced the frustration of seeing his jersey pass to Lukhanyo Am during Am’s rise.

That ability to absorb setbacks and come back stronger has shaped his path. When opportunity opened at the 2023 World Cup after Am’s injury, Kriel stepped in without hesitation and delivered a tournament so consistent he kept the role through the Boks’ march to the trophy.

A decade into his test career, he remains a reliable presence for both South Africa and Japan’s Canon Eagles, producing steady performances with little demand for spotlight.

Kriel may not always be the loudest name attached to Springboks success, but his dependability and competitiveness make him the type of player championship teams are built on—even if not everyone notices it.

4. Ox Nché | Hollywoodbets Sharks | FloRugby World No. 15

Ox Nché has become the foundation of South Africa’s dominant scrum, a loosehead prop whose command of the set-piece has played a central role in the Springboks’ rise.

Built on equal parts force and technique, the Hollywoodbets Sharks frontrower has grown into one of the premier scrummagers in the sport, but his reputation didn’t arrive overnight. 

Nché spent his early years refining his game in the Varsity Cup system, age-grade internationals and domestic competitions, sharpening the craft that now defines him.

Since stepping into test rugby, he has given the Boks the kind of stability every power-based attack relies on, locking down his side of the scrum and giving the pack a platform to dominate.

With nearly 50 caps, his influence goes well past the set piece. His surprising mobility, relentless work rate and grounded personality have earned him widespread respect.

Now firmly established as South Africa’s first-choice No. 1, Nché has carved out a place in Springboks lore while continuing to build a career worthy of the green and gold.

3. Eben Etzebeth | Hollywoodbets Sharks | FloRugby World No. 10

Eben Etzebeth has spent more than a decade embodying the edge and intensity that define South African rugby. Few players have shaped the Springboks’ identity as completely as he has.

Now in his 14th season at test level, the veteran lock sits atop South Africa’s caps list and carries two Rugby World Cup titles, achievements that reflect both longevity and dominance.

Although he no longer plays with the same burst he showed early in his career, his command of the set-piece, imposing physical presence and steady leadership keep him central to the Boks’ plans. When matches tighten and momentum swings by inches, Etzebeth frequently is the one who steadies the side or delivers the moment that matters.

His influence stretches to club rugby as well, highlighted by the Sharks’ 2024 Challenge Cup victory and another strong Springboks push through The Rugby Championship.

Since making his debut in 2012, he has been the anchor of South Africa’s engine room, known for winning aerial battles, punishing ball carriers and bringing an unmistakable intensity to every confrontation.

At 33, he remains a towering figure in every sense—still shaping matches, still setting standards and still adding to a legacy that has already secured his place among the game’s great locks.

2. Cheslin Kolbe | Tokyo Sungoliath | FloRugby World No. 5


Cheslin Kolbe has built a career out of rewriting expectations. 

One of the smallest men on any pitch, he’s nonetheless become one of rugby’s most explosive and decorated figures—a player whose presence can tilt the sport’s biggest matches.

Before he was a global superstar in Japan with Tokyo Sungoliath, Kolbe collected silverware everywhere he went: Olympic bronze with the Blitzboks, two Rugby World Cup crowns with South Africa and a cabinet full of French titles, including the Top 14, Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

His international rise began in 2018, and since then, he has scored 18 tries in 40 tests—numbers made even more remarkable by how he scores them. Kolbe plays with a mix of courage, sharp instincts and footwork so sudden it borders on illusion.

Versatility is part of his mystique. Whether stationed on the wing, sweeping from fullback, stepping in at fly-half or covering scrumhalf, he brings the same sense of danger. Opponents prepare for him; few manage to contain him.

For all the medals and accolades, what endures is the way he changes a match: darting through gaps others don’t see, finishing chances that seem to vanish, creating chaos from positions where most players simply settle.

Now one of the world’s top earners, Kolbe continues to captivate crowds in Japan—still the magician, still the relentless competitor, still proving that size has never been the measure of his game.

1. Pieter-Steph du Toit | Toyota Verblitz | FloRugby World No. 3


Pieter-Steph du Toit’s reputation has been carved through grit, recovery and a level of consistency few forwards have ever matched. 

Long considered one of the defining players of his era, he has turned setbacks into fuel for a career that continues to shape South African rugby.

Despite a history of serious injuries, the Springboks stalwart has built a résumé that places him among the sport’s greats. 

He owns two World Rugby Player of the Year awards (2019 and 2024) and two Rugby World Cup medals, achievements that trace back to his relentless presence in the Bok pack. Even at 32, while competing in Japan for Toyota Verblitz, he remains central to South Africa’s identity.

His influence was never clearer than in the 2023 World Cup final, where he delivered a staggering 28 tackles in a match that secured another title and cemented the Boks’ run of dominance. 

The following season only strengthened his standing as he helped win 9 of 10 tests and added another Rugby Championship triumph.

Able to anchor the scrum at lock or grind through contests as a flanker, du Toit brings endurance, power and a nonstop engine that define how South Africa plays. 

Scarred by battles but far from worn down, he already has entered legend status while continuing to add new chapters to an extraordinary career.

FloRugby Top 100 Rugby Players In The World

Here's the full list:

  1. Ardie Savea | Moana Pasifika | New Zealand
  2. Antoine Dupont | Stade Toulousain | France
  3. Pieter-Steph du Toit | Toyota Verblitz | South Africa
  4. Dan Sheehan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  5. Cheslin Kolbe | Tokyo Sungoliath | South Africa
  6. Jordie Barrett | Hurricanes | New Zealand
  7. Damian Penaud | Union Bordeaux Bègles | France
  8. Caelan Doris | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  9. Will Jordan | Crusaders | New Zealand
  10. Eben Etzebeth | Hollywoodbets Sharks | South Africa
  11. Tadhg Beirne | Munster Rugby | Ireland
  12. Louis Bielle-Biarrey | Union Bordeaux Bègles | France
  13. Sione Tuipulotu | Glasgow Warriors | Scotland
  14. Maro Itoje | Saracens | England
  15. Ox Nché | Hollywoodbets Sharks | South Africa
  16. Finn Russell | Bath Rugby | Scotland
  17. Tommaso Menoncello | Benetton | Italy
  18. Josh van der Flier | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  19. Jesse Kriel | Canon Eagles | South Africa
  20. Tom Curry | Sale Sharks | England
  21. Thomas Ramos | Stade Toulousain | France
  22. Scott Barrett | Crusaders | New Zealand
  23. Damian Willemse | DHL Stormers | South Africa
  24. Juan Cruz Mallía | Stade Toulousain | Argentina
  25. Joseph Sua’ali’i | Waratahs | Australia
  26. Damian de Allende | Saitama Wild Knights | South Africa
  27. James Lowe | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  28. Wallace Sititi | Chiefs | New Zealand
  29. Jamison Gibson-Park | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  30. Peato Mauvaka | Stade Toulousain | France
  31. Blair Kinghorn | Stade Toulousain | Scotland
  32. Handré Pollard | Leicester Tigers | South Africa
  33. Damian McKenzie | Chiefs | New Zealand
  34. RG Snyman | Leinster Rugby | South Africa
  35. Siya Kolisi | Hollywoodbets Sharks | South Africa
  36. Tyrel Lomax | Hurricanes | New Zealand
  37. Hugo Keenan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  38. Kwagga Smith | Shizuoka Blue Revs | South Africa
  39. Grégory Alldritt | Stade Rochelais | France
  40. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu | DHL Stormers | South Africa
  41. Bundee Aki | Connacht Rugby | Ireland
  42. Romain Ntamack | Stade Toulousain | France
  43. Jack Conan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  44. Kurt-Lee Arendse | Vodacom Bulls | South Africa
  45. Will Skelton | Stade Rochelais | Australia
  46. Malcolm Marx | Kubota Spears | South Africa
  47. Garry Ringrose | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  48. Ellis Genge | Bristol Bears | England
  49. Ange Capuozzo | Stade Toulousain | Italy
  50. Tommy Freeman | Northampton Saints | England
  51. Cam Roigard | Hurricanes | New Zealand
  52. Tomás Albornoz | Benetton | Argentina
  53. Fraser McReight | Queensland Reds | Australia
  54. Matthieu Jalibert | Union Bordeaux Bègles | France
  55. Andrew Porter | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  56. Huw Jones | Glasgow Warriors | Scotland
  57. François Cros | Stade Toulousain | France
  58. Marcos Kremer | ASM Clermont | Argentina
  59. Jac Morgan | Ospreys | Wales
  60. Juan Ignacio Brex | Benetton | Italy
  61. Tomos Williams | Gloucester Rugby | Wales
  62. Ben Tameifuna | Union Bordeaux Bègles | Tonga
  63. Grant Williams | Hollywoodbets Sharks | South Africa
  64. Angus Bell | Waratahs | Australia
  65. Tamaiti Williams | Crusaders | New Zealand
  66. Alex Mitchell | Northampton Saints | England
  67. Yoram Moefana | Union Bordeaux Bègles | France
  68. Beauden Barrett | Auckland Blues | New Zealand
  69. James Ryan | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  70. Franco Mostert | Honda Heat | South Africa
  71. Tadhg Furlong | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  72. Len Ikitau | Brumbies | Australia
  73. Thomas Du Toit | Bath Rugby | South Africa
  74. Tupou Vaa’i | Chiefs | New Zealand
  75. Pablo Matera | Mie Honda Heat | Argentina
  76. Mark Tele’a | Auckland Blues | New Zealand
  77. Ollie Chessum | Leicester Tigers | England
  78. Zander Fagerson | Glasgow Warriors | Scotland
  79. Mack Hansen | Connacht Rugby | Ireland
  80. Santiago Chocobares | Stade Toulousain | Argentina
  81. Darcy Graham | Edinburgh Rugby | Scotland
  82. Robert Valetini | Brumbies | Australia
  83. Cameron Hanekom | Vodacom Bulls | South Africa
  84. Thibaud Flament | Stade Toulousain | France
  85. Tom Wright | Brumbies | Australia
  86. Ben Earl | Saracens | England
  87. Marcus Smith | Harlequins | England
  88. Duhan van der Merwe | Edinburgh Rugby | Scotland
  89. Sevu Reece | Crusaders | New Zealand
  90. Julián Montoya | Pau | Argentina
  91. Fin Smith | Northampton Saints | England
  92. Paul Boudehent | Stade Rochelais | France
  93. Caleb Clarke | Auckland Blues | New Zealand
  94. Joe McCarthy | Leinster Rugby | Ireland
  95. Maxime Lucu | Union Bordeaux Bègles | France
  96. Will Stuart | Bath Rugby | England
  97. Santiago Carreras | Bath Rugby | Argentina
  98. Andre Esterhuizen | Hollywoodbets Sharks | South Africa
  99. Cyril Baille | Stade Toulousain | France
  100. Henry Pollock | Northampton Saints | England

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