As the year 2025 comes to an end, the Planet Rugby team has gathered to select their ultimate XV, showcasing the best players from the past 12 months across club and international rugby. And boy, what a year it's been!
The Springboks' Dominance: A Year to Remember
In a year that saw the Springboks shine, the Planet Rugby Team of the Year is packed with South African talent. But here's where it gets controversial... while the Boks dominated, there were some tough calls to make, especially when it came to selecting the backline.
Let's dive into the starting XV, position by position, and uncover the stories behind these rugby greats.
Fullback: Thomas Ramos (France & Toulouse)
A close call, but Ramos edges out Will Jordan. His stellar performances for France and Toulouse, especially during Antoine Dupont's absence, helped Les Bleus win the Six Nations and Toulouse claim the Top 14 title.
Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa & Tokyo Sungoliath)
Kolbe continues to impress, beating out Tommy Freeman for this spot. The diminutive winger scored an impressive 15 tries in 26 games, contributing to the Springboks' Rugby Championship victory and Sungoliath's success.
Centre: Huw Jones (Scotland, British & Irish Lions, Glasgow Warriors)
Choosing the centres was a headache! Jones, a member of the World Rugby Dream Team, stood out for Scotland and played a pivotal role in the British & Irish Lions' Test series against the Wallabies.
Centre: Len Ikitau (Australia, Brumbies, Exeter Chiefs)
Ikitau, a true Wallaby star, had a stellar 2025. His consistent form, especially during the Lions series, earned him the John Eales Medal. He also shone at club level, becoming a key player for the Brumbies and making a strong start with Exeter.
Wing: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France & Bordeaux-Begles)
Bielle-Biarrey, a force to be reckoned with, just edged out Ethan Hooker. His incredible performances, especially during France's Six Nations triumph and Bordeaux's Champions Cup win, earned him a World Rugby Player of the Year nomination.
Scrum-Half: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa & Stormers)
In a competitive field, Feinberg-Mngomezulu takes the jersey over Finn Russell. The 23-year-old Springbok star had an outstanding year, playing a crucial role in the Boks' Rugby Championship win.
Fly-Half: Cam Roigard (New Zealand & Hurricanes)
Roigard, after overcoming injuries, had a breakthrough year. He leapfrogged Dupont and Cobus Reinach to secure this spot, cementing his place in the All Blacks side for the foreseeable future.
Back-Row:
Number 8: Ardie Savea (New Zealand & Moana Pasifika)
Savea's all-round excellence, regardless of position, continued to shine. He had a stellar year at Moana Pasifika, winning the Super Rugby MVP award, and was a consistent rock for the All Blacks.
Flanker: Tom Curry (England, British & Irish Lions, Sale Sharks)
Curry proved himself as a true Test match animal in 2025. He just edged out Juan Martin Gonzalez and Marcos Kremer, dominating the three Tests against the Wallabies and potentially earning Player of the Series honors.
Flanker: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa & Toyota Verblitz)
Du Toit topped the Planet Rugby ratings in 2025, setting the standard for back-rowers. His defensive prowess was a key factor in the dominant Boks' pack, contributing to their Rugby Championship triumph and unbeaten November campaign.
Tight Five:
Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa & Sharks)
2025 was a great year for South African locks, but Etzebeth stood out. His relentless physicality allowed the Boks to adopt a new attacking style, and his ability to perform in big Tests was particularly notable.
Lock: Maro Itoje (England, British & Irish Lions, Saracens)
A tough call, but Itoje finally shed the 'future captain' tag. He led the Lions to a series win against the Wallabies and captained an England side that won 11 Tests in a row. His leadership and form were career-best this year.
Lock: Thomas du Toit (South Africa & Bath)
Du Toit had an exceptional year, both for club and country. He played a pivotal role in Bath's historic treble, and quickly established himself as the best tighthead in the league. His form carried over to the Test stage, securing the Boks' number three jersey during the Rugby Championship.
Hooker: Malcolm Marx (South Africa & Kubota Spears)
Recently named World Rugby Player of the Year, Marx took his game to new heights in 2025. His set-piece work helped the Boks dominate, and he showed significant development in all aspects of his game.
Prop: Ox Nche (South Africa & Sharks)
Nche, the Springboks prop, elevated front-row play to new levels. His aggressive, attacking mindset in the scrum was devastating, and he also improved significantly around the park.
There you have it, a star-studded Planet Rugby Team of the Year, dominated by the mighty Springboks. But what do you think? Are there any players you'd swap out? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to add Planet Rugby as a preferred source for more rugby insights!
