Team of the Year - 2024

OPINION: The year has come and gone, with many turning points, milestones and impressive climaxes.

South Africa finished the year as the top-ranked team - ahead of Ireland (one of only two teams to beat them this year) and New Zealand.

With the Rugby Championship title and an unbeaten year-end tour, the Springboks dominated the global game.

@king365ed names his Team of the Year!

15 Thomas Ramos (France)

He finished the year starting at flyhalf for France and was particularly impressive in the win over New Zealand. However, it was at fullback where he was at his most devastatingly effective and a rock in the last line of defence - not to mention his educated boot. He also helped Toulouse win a Top 14 and Champions Cup double. Springboks flyer Aphelele Fassi deserves an honourable mention.

14 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

The Springboks' magic man. Not only a devastating finisher, but was used to throw in at the line-outs and even feed scrums. However, it is his creative play that gets the hot-stepper my vote. There were strong challenges from compatriot Kurt-Lee Arendse and New Zealand's Will Jordan.

13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa)

The most impressive and consistent outside centre for the past two years and the mastermind of the miserly Bok defence. Honourable mentions to Juan Ignacio Brex (Italy) and Huw Jones (Scotland).

12 Damian de Allende (South Africa)

The most underrated player in the Bok team, who again showed he is more than just a crash-test-dummy. He beat off the fierce challenges of Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland) and Tommaso Menoncello (Italy).

11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)

May have been a Johnny-come-lately, but this 21-year-old Frenchman showed some blistering finishing and is going to cause havoc in years to come. James Lowe (Ireland) would have been a worthy recipient as well.

10 Handre Pollard (South Africa)

As much as we like to salivate over the creative prowess of flyhalves like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Marcus Smith, Damian McKenzie and even Manie Libbok, there is a reason why Rassie Erasmus returns to Pollard for key matches. He is, without doubt, one of the game’s greatest flyhalves - always delivering in clutch moments.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

There are many clamouring for Antoine Dupont - given his Sevens and domestic (Top 14 and Champions Cup) achievements. However, until Du Pont starts playing outside France and performing away from home regularly, I will rate the sustained form of Gibson-Park - who helped Ireland to the Six Nations title and continued that form for most of the year.

8 Caelan Doris (Ireland)

The only non-South African among the nominations for Player of the Year. That says it all. However, All Blacks star Ardie Savea, England's Ben Earl, Argentina's Joaquin Oviedo, Jasper Wiese (South Africa), Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt (both France) were also impressive.\

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

The best player in the world by some distance. It is not just his physicality in defence, but his workrate and line-out expertise that sets him apart. Wallace Sititi (New Zealand), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Marcos Kremer (Argentina) and Francois Cros (France) deserve honourable mentions.

6 Pablo Matera (Argentina)

They spark that ignited Los Pumas when they beat the Boks and massive in the Rugby Championship wins over New Zealand and Australia. Argentina teammate Juan Martin Gonzalez, as well as Boks back row forwards Siya Kolisi and Kwagga Smith get honourable mentions.

5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

Equally effective at lock or flank and his most impressive showing was at flank in the win over the Boks. His performances in Ireland's Six Nations title win saw him edge players like Ruan Nortje (South Africa), Tupou Vaa'i (New Zealand), Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist and France man mountain Emmanuel Meafou.

4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

Like compatriot Pieter-Steph du Toit without peer in his position and even when his body started showing signs of wear and tear towards the end of the year he was still the best. Thibaud Flament, Joe McCarthy (Ireland) and Scott Barrett (New Zealand) were his closest challengers.

3 Frans Malherbe (South Africa)

Perhaps not the most productive outside the set pieces, but his devastating scrum power help create the base from which the Boks launches their successful onslaught on the year. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) and Thomas du Toit (South Africa) also impressed.

2 Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

Often playing off the bench as part of the Bok bomb squad and not always up to his most destructive best, he remained the premier hooker in the world. Codie Taylor (New Zealand), Peato Mauvaka (France), Julian Montoya (Argentina) and Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa) gave him a run for his money.

1 Ox Nche (South Africa)

Also without a peer in the front row and certainly earned a few extra slices of cake in 2024. Apart from his scrum power, he often contributed with the ball in hand and on defence. Andrew Porter (Ireland) and Jean-Baptiste Gros (France) get honourable mentions.

@king365ed

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