Despite South Africa being the current world champions, the 2024 Six Nations has intensified the debate over who is truly the best in the world.
But such is Ireland's performance so far in the northern hemisphere's flagship tournament that many believe they are the true number one team.
Wales legends Jonathan Davies and Sam Warburton have said Andy Farrell's side are 'the best team in the world', so we looked to form a combined XV.
South Africa's selection is clearly based on their Rugby World Cup performance, but the Irish are mixed.
Springboks and Ireland together in 15th place
15 Hugo Keenan (Ireland): Damian Willemse was great during the World Cup, but Keenan is the better international full-back at the moment. Willemse may usurp him over the next four years, but the Irishman combines dominance under the high ball with a good running line, good backfield coverage and a true counter-attacking threat. ing.
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (South Africa): Arendse was always going to take the slot, even if Mack Hansen was the right fit. Arendse got off to a great start in his international career and continued his form in world competitions. He only scored two touchdowns in France, giving up an incredible number of tries per game, but started every knockout match on the way to the title.
Kurt Lee Arense's Pace#RWC2023 | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/0IyAJDMAZr
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 15, 2023
13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa): Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw, who missed the first three games of the Six Nations, are excellent players, but Kriel has become a key cog for the Springboks. Some were worried after Luhanyo Am's injury, but the truth is he wasn't really missed. The 30-year-old has been absolutely outstanding defending in the difficult outside center channel, which has been vital to their success.
12 Bandiaki (Ireland): The experienced center shows that the World Cup is not just a one-off. Aki has elevated his level from a quality international player to a truly world-class player in France and will not be dropped during the 2024 Six Nations. It's hard to leave out the excellent Damien de Allende, but the Irishman has been truly exceptional in recent months.
11 James Lowe (Ireland): It's a tough battle for the Springboks with Cheslin Kolbe among the favorites to win the title, but Lowe played well at the World Cup despite Ireland's quarter-final defeat and has been outstanding since returning from injury ahead of the Six Nations. is showing. France, Italy and Wales have all struggled to contain him, with him scoring twice so far in this competition.
10 Handre Pollard (South Africa): Johnny Sexton's retirement seemed to leave a huge hole at Ireland's flyhalf, but Jack Crowley has settled in admirably. But Crawley still has some big challenges left to prove himself, which means South Africa's match-winner Pollard in the semi-finals and final will comfortably get the nod in our eyes. The evidence in 2024 suggests that the 24-year-old will probably be the best player in the world, but he still has a lot to learn.
9 Jamison Gibson Park (Ireland): Sets a nice tempo for Farrell's men. He has great passing and quick passing, allowing Ireland to constantly challenge opposition defences. He also has a great kicking game that gives teams the opportunity to put pressure in the air. With Faf de Klerk not playing his best in 2023, Kobas Reinach started in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, which was an easy choice.
Springbok World Cup winner makes decision on future as he awaits return to South Africa
8 Caelan Doris (Ireland): One of Ireland's most improved players, the Leinsterman has carved out the number eight spot for club and country in recent years thanks to some impressive all-round performances. Blessed with great athleticism, Doris is a great attacker who creates try opportunities for his teammates and himself. He is solid in the lineout and in defense and regularly empties the tank.
7 Siya Kolisi (South Africa): The Springbok captain comes ahead of 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year Award winner Josh van der Flier, who has been somewhat out of form over the past 12 months. However, Kolisi has played consistently well during that period, impressing with his ability to move the ball, his defensive work, and his leadership skills of a high standard.
6 Peter-Steph du Toit (South Africa): It was a difficult decision as Ireland's new captain Peter O'Mahony never lets his country down, but he couldn't leave out du Toit, who was one of the stars of the box at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. . Du Toit is known for his high defensive work rate, but the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year is also a physical ball carrier and a useful option behind the lineout.
5 Eben Ezebeth (South Africa): It would be unfortunate to miss out on Irishman Tadhg Beirne, but the Springbok enforcer remains one of the world's best locks despite his advancing years, so we couldn't leave him out of the squad. Whether attacking or defending, the 32-year-old always gives his all for me, his line-out work is of a high standard and he rarely backs down during contact.
4 Joe McCarthy (Ireland): Despite only being 22, he plays with a maturity beyond his years and produced a superb all-round performance as Ireland beat France in their first Six Nations Test last month. announced that he had won the Man of the Match award. McCarthy stood out in this game with his excellent physicality both in attack and defence, and also impressed with his line-out work, cementing his place in his country's first-choice XV.
❤️ Joe McCarthy presents MOTM medal to brother pic.twitter.com/lgc3pKzWeY
— RugbyBits (@RugbyBits) February 3, 2024
3 Malherbes, France (South Africa): He has not played a game since last year's Rugby World Cup due to a back injury, but there is little doubt about his position in this team as he is arguably the best tighthead prop in the world when fully healthy. There is no discussion. Malherbe's superiority in the scrum is well-documented, and he is also particularly good at defending in close quarters.
2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland): South Africa have two excellent hookers in Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi, but Sheehan's outstanding all-round skillset makes him an essential player in the team ahead of them. He is excellent at performing his core duties and is also an explosive ball carrier who knows his way to whitewashing. His try-scoring talent has seen him already score four five-pointers in this year's Six Nations.
1 Gyuunche (South Africa): South Africa pride themselves on their scrummaging ability and they have the best player in this area in Ntche, who showed great performance from set pieces at last year's World Cup in France. Apart from his excellent scrummaging, the 28-year-old was also solid on the ball and outperformed Andrew Porter defensively.
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