As the year draws to a close, Planet Rugby’s team of writers sat down to settle on their best XV of players from the past 12 months in the club and Test arena.

Planet Rugby’s Team of the Year

15 Thomas Ramos (France)

A stunning campaign at club level with Toulouse as he steered them to a Top 14 and Champions Cup double thanks to his reliable boot and impressive s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁-set and temperament. Such a quality player whether at full-back or fly-half and he was excellent in both positions this year, with France more recently favouring him in the 10 spot. Ramos gets in ahead of Springboks flyer Aphelele Fassi, who had a fine 12 months, while a certain All Black also misses out but features below.

14 Will Jordan (New Zealand)

We are of course talking about the wonderful Jordan. A player new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson holds in high regard and it is easy to see why as he was outstanding at full-back and sometimes wing in 2024. Jordan missed most of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign due to injury but was superb in the black jersey, again scoring tries for fun as his record continues apace. His ability to find a weak link or mismatch in defence is second to none and long may he stay fully fit.

13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa)

A rock all year long for the Springboks as he has made the number 13 jersey his own. Alongside his midfield partner, Kriel played a vital role in South Africa ending their Rugby Championship drought and continued to impress during the autumn, with his solidity and leadership in defence, alongside an underrated attacking threat, sealing him this shirt. In all honesty it was a one-horse race to the jersey but Juan Ignacio Brex (Italy) and Huw Jones (Scotland) do earn mentions.

12 Damian de Allende (South Africa)

Has really developed his attacking game under Tony Brown and just about gets the other midfield spot alongside his fellow countryman, with Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland) and Tommaso Menoncello (Italy) all making a case for the shirt. But De Allende, like Kriel, was another key component of South Africa’s successful overall campaign and his line bust against England at Twickenham for a soon-to-be-named wing’s crossing was a classic power play from him.

11 Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

A switch from the right to left wing here for Kolbe as we simply had to get both Jordan and the Springbok in our team. Surely the best wide man on the planet at the moment right now as he was box office all campaign for the Springboks. Incredible defensively, under the high ball and in attack, Kolbe showed his worth yet again as he gets in ahead of France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Ollie Sleightholme – after a fine year for Northampton and England – and Bok Kurt-Lee Arendse.

10 Marcus Smith (England)

At times it felt like he was carrying England on his back, such was his intent on taking games by the scruff of the neck in an attacking sense. He is maturing as an international 10 with each fixture and despite Tomas Al𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧oz (Argentina) being exceptional, Smith was our pick. All Blacks duo Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett shone at times in 2024 while Noah Lolesio (Australia), Handre Pollard (South Africa) and Paolo Garbisi (Italy) earn mentions for their efforts.

9 Antoine Dupont (France)

An incredibly tough call for Jamison Gibson-Park after he helped Ireland to the Six Nations title earlier in the year. However, we felt his form dipped a touch later in 2024 and, as a result of not just recognising Test rugby, Dupont‘s achievements could not be ignored. A domestic and European double for Toulouse before inspiring gold at the Olympics for France Sevens, the scrum-half then returned to XVs and shone in the Autumn Nations Series and for his club thereafter.

8 Caelan Doris (Ireland)

All Blacks star Ardie Savea pushed hard for this jersey after his consistent efforts throughout the year for both club and country, but we felt World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Doris deserved the position. Is growing into the captaincy role and looks the British & Irish Lions skipper in waiting as he is picked over the likes of England’s Ben Earl, who starred in the Six Nations, Argentina’s Joaquin Oviedo, Jasper Wiese (South Africa) and also Harry Wilson (Australia).

7 Pablo Matera (Argentina)

Absolutely massive for Los Pumas during the Rugby Championship especially, Matera dominated the physical battle as Argentina claimed a fantastic three wins for the first time in the southern hemisphere competition. Matera is rewarded ahead of Wallabies star Fraser McReight, who was outstanding in the gold jersey this year, Ireland workhorse Josh van der Flier, Argentina team-mate Juan Martin Gonzalez and the Springboks back-rows, Siya Kolisi and Kwagga Smith.

6 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Another jaw-dropping season from the complete forward, who at times filled in with ease at lock. Du Toit’s physicality in defence and attack, lineout expertise, s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁-set and incredible engine puts him well ahead of the chasing pack. That is praise indeed seeing as Wallace Sititi (New Zealand) announced himself on the world stage in amazing style. Chandler Cunningham-South (England), Marcos Kremer (Argentina) and Francois Cros (France) also impressed on the blindside.

5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

Continues to shine whether it be at lock or blindside, Beirne was excellent in Ireland’s Six Nations title win while helping Munster finish top of the United Rugby Championship standings. He iced that with strong performances in July and the autumn and takes the jersey here over the likes of Ruan Nortje (South Africa), Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand), Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams (both Australia), Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist and France man mountain Emmanuel Meafou.

4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)

One of the more straightforward decisions in our line-up came at number four where Etzebeth continued to show no signs of slowing down despite his 33 years. Massive in so many ways for the Springboks and Sharks – helping the latter to a Challenge Cup success – his leadership and impact around the field helped the Boks reach new heights. He gets in over Thibaud Flament, who also shone for club and country, Joe McCarthy (Ireland) and Scott Barrett (New Zealand).

3 Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)

Such is his impact on the All Blacks that Lomax has become one of the first names on the teamsheet for Robertson and Ian Foster before him. He was once again a rock this year for New Zealand and we have opted for him over Will Stuart (England), Zander Fagerson (Scotland) and Thomas du Toit (South Africa), who were all superb for club and country in 2024. Du Toit especially was, and still is, a try machine for Bath and that helped force him back into the Test set-up.

2 Codie Taylor (New Zealand)

One of the more open battles for a jersey came at hooker as Peato Mauvaka starred for club and country while Julian Montoya (Argentina), Dewi Lake (Wales) and Springboks pair Bongi Mbonambi and Malcolm Marx also dovetailed well all year. Lake especially deserves a nod in a struggling Wales team. England captain Jamie George was also solid but we thought Taylor had the most consistent season as he returned to his best form in a new and exciting All Blacks era.

1 Ox Nche (South Africa)

Another impressive year for the Springboks loosehead, who was immovable in the set-piece and added some nice touches to his game around the field. While he did not feature a great deal in the Autumn Nations Series, his showings in the Rugby Championship saw him get in ahead of Wallabies machine Angus Bell, who proved how invaluable he will be during the British & Irish Lions series, and Ireland stalwart Andrew Porter, who racked up the minutes in a green jersey.