The group is led by the inspirational captain and flanker, Siya Kolisi. The lock, Eben Etzebeth, also cracked the nod along with the hooker, Malcolm Marx.

The two backline players included are the centre, Lukhanyo Am, and the former Cheetahs winger, Makazole Mapimpi.

The Springboks have contributed the most players to the Dream Team. The All Blacks have three and the Wallabies have two, while Scotland, England, France and Wales have one inclusion each.

The Bok coach, Jacques Nienaber, expressed his delighted over the selection of his five players.

“The entire Springbok team and coaching staff are delighted for the players.

 “It is a fantastic achievement, and it shows the class and skill level of the players we have within our squad and in the country. We all share in their excitement.”

On behalf of SA Rugby, the President, Mark Alexander, congratulated his players on the achievement.

“To contribute a third of the World Rugby Dream Team not only underlines how good the Springboks performed in a very difficult season, but also how our individual players rose to the occasion – and this is true for more than just these five.

“It’s certainly a well-deserved accolade in what was an important season for the national team following a long absence from international rugby due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The competition for this award was tough, and for a handful of our players to be in the mix in a year in which they finished the season as the top team in the world makes this an even more notable achievement.

“A sincere congratulations to Siya, Eben, Malcolm, Lukhanyo and Makazole for this significant recognition.”

The World Rugby Dream Team - 15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland), 14 Will Jordan (New Zealand), 13 Lukhanyo Am (South Africa), 12 Samu Kerevi (Australia), 11 Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa), 10 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 9 Antoine Dupont (France), 8 Adrie Savea (New Zealand), 7 Michael Hooper (Australia), 6 Siya Kolisi (South Africa), 5 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 4 Maro Itoje (England), 3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 2 Malcolm Marx (South Africa), 1 Wyn Jones (Wales).

Morgan Piek OFM Sport