The Rugby World Cup, which the Springboks won for a record-breaking fourth time, dominated the 2023 season. Several players had outstanding performances throughout this amazing rugby year.
On the international front, New Zealand’s All Blacks continued their amazing dominance of the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup, and Ireland also achieved great success after winning a Grand Slam Six Nations and holding the top spot for much of the year.
Although Scotland managed to win the Calcutta Cup back, they were unable to overcome Ireland and the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup.
Having won their first-ever match against England at Twickenham earlier in the year, Fiji was ecstatic to be playing in the Rugby World Cup.
Under the leadership of their general no. 9, Antoine Dupont, France was dangerously flexible, but in the final eight of their home World Cup, the unstoppable Les Bleus faced the unwavering Springboks.
WHO WERE THE BEST RUGBY PLAYERS IN EACH POSITION IN 2023
We have Ireland’s Hugo Keenan as fullback. For Ireland and Leinster in 2023, Keenan was outstanding. Maybe the world’s best attacking fullback is Keenan.
Kurt-Lee Arendse is one of the great rugby talents that the Springboks have found, and he is just becoming more lethal. With his interceptions and spot tackles in addition to his explosive attacking style, Arendse demonstrates one of the best game reading skills among wings in world rugby.
We can’t resist adding Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland, who scored the try of the year against England in the Six Nations, to the opposite wing.
The influence that Ireland and Leinster star Garry Ringrose has had on rugby in 2023 will be evident to anyone who has ever received a rib tickler from him. In addition to his formidable defense, Ringrose has played a significant role in Ireland’s offensive strategy.
While some players have shown more flair this season than Damian De Allende, not many have defied criticism. For very good cause, De Allende was the No. 12 pick in the Springboks’ brain trust. An excellent crash ball carrier and defensive organizer, his effort is frequently overlooked.
Richie Mo’unga is more than capable of wearing the All Blacks No. 10 shirt, which requires a high level of skill and talent. Mo’unga possesses incredible quickness, cunning on attack and defense, and match awareness.
THE BEST FORWARDS IN 2023
The general is at number nine, where Dupont is still demonstrating why he is the greatest player in the world, while Mo’unga leads the All Blacks from position ten for France. He contributed to France’s near-victory over the Springboks in an intense quarter-final that was unquestionably the game of the year.
The fact that Ardie Savea can routinely get ground against the Springbok defense is maybe his greatest accomplishment. Another brilliant All Blacks player who can play anywhere in the loose trio and a strong competitor.
Pieter-Steph Du Toit was a key player in the Springboks’ three-match Rugby World Cup knockout run. He consistently increased his team’s margins, which is precisely what you want from a flanker.
Siya Kolisi led the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup from position six, but in terms of overall form, he is surpassed by his compatriot Deon Fourie. Following Bongi Mbonambi’s injury in the Rugby World Cup final, Fourie finished at hooker; nonetheless, as the king of the jackals in 2023, he receives the nod.
Although the Pumas went unnoticed and advanced to the Rugby World Cup semifinals, they did have some notable players, none of them had the same influence as Tomas Lavanini. By strengthening his discipline, Lavinini has improved his game, and the Pumas’ best efforts were driven by his form.
BEST IN THE WORLD: EBEN ETZEBETH
Right now, Eben Etzebeth can fit into any squad because he was the best individual player in 2023. Etzebeth’s plays, which were shrewd and cruel, destroyed 2023. He can change a game in a plethora of ways.
Tyrel Lomax, an underappreciated game changer for the All Blacks, is another. During the All Blacks’ historic defeat at Twickenham against the Springboks, the prop had to go off early. But his comeback gave the All Blacks a boost during their Rugby World Cup campaign.
Malcolm Marx is a phenomenal all-around athlete and rugby football player who has completely destroyed the hooker position for South African rugby. Marx rose to the top of the Springbok forward try-scoring chart this season, and his adaptability is demonstrated by the fact that a loose forward took his position on the team.
In addition to being at the top of his game in 2023, Steven Kitshoff is off to a fantastic start at Ulster. Not only is Kitshoff an excellent scrum workhorse, but he also manages to complete his fair amount of work in the tight spaces.
RUGBY WORLD XV FOR 2023
15 Hugo Keenan
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
13 Garry Ringrose
12 Damian De Allende
11 Duhan van der Merwe
10 Richie Mo’unga
9 Antoine Dupont
8 Ardie Savea
7 Pieter-Steph Du Toit
6 Deon Fourie
5 Tomas Lavanini
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Tyrel Lomax
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Steven Kitshoff
