Rugby's most successful international side, South Africa have produced some of rugby's all-time greats.
Four-time Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks are the current holders of the William Web Ellis Cup, having won the last two tournaments under the stewardship of the legendary Rassie Erasmus - who recently committed his future to his nation until 2031.
Their other two successes came in 1995 - which famously had a significant cultural impact on the country - and in 2007.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the greatest South African XV of all time...
15 - Percy Montgomery
A key member of the 2007 World Cup winning team, Percy Montgomery offered South Africa almost flawless goalkicking and a calming presence at the back.
At the time of his retirement in 2008, Montgomery held the all-time records for both caps (102) and points (893) for the Springboks.
As a result, Montgomery pips 1995 world cup winning full back Andre Joubert to a starting berth in this side.
14 - Cheslin Kolbe
One of the most unique rugby players in the modern era, 5 ft 7 speedster Cheslin Kolbe breaks the mould of the usual international winger.
Possessing dazzling footwork and an ability to beat any player in a postage stamp, the former sevens superstar was a key man in both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup victories, starring in the 2019 final against England.
To date, Kolbe has made just 49 appearances for the Springboks - scoring 21 tries in the process - but, such is the elite level of his performances, the winger has built a legacy for his country that surpasses the great JP Pietersen to start in this team.
13 - Jacques Fourie
A fast and powerful player, with the ability to play across the backline, Jaques Fourie was an imperious part of the 2007 side.
As a key man in both attack and defence, Fourie made 72 appearances for the Boks, scoring 32 tries.
2019 World champion Lukanyo Am is unlucky to miss out, but his injury in 2023 that prevented him from becoming to two-time champion also keeps him from this XV.
12 - Damien de Allende
A member of the 2015 (3rd place), 2019 and 2023 World Cup squads, Damien de Allende's abrasive running was one of the main platforms for the Springbok's success.
At the time of writing, the former Munster man sits just shy of 100 caps for his nation (99), scoring 15 tries in the process during his current 10-year international career that could span four separate World Cup tournaments.
South Africa have not been short of world class centre options throughout history, with the likes of Jean de Villiers missing out on a starting place, but the consistency of de Allende's performances at the elite level see him make this team.
11 - Bryan Habana
It is impossible to create an all-time Springboks XV without mentioning legendary winger Bryan Habana.
The Springboks' third highest appearance maker (124) and highest try scorer of all-time (67), Habana had a glittering 12-year international career which included the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
His performance in the 2007 Rugby World Cup particularly stands out, scoring a record-equalling eight tries across the tournament, as his side sauntered to glory.
10 - Handré Pollard
In a position with little competition in truth, Handre Pollard nails down the number 10 shirt, having been a key part of the 2019 and 2023 World Cup successes.
Sitting second in South Africa's all-time leading points scorers (825) at just 31, Pollard is hot on the heels of etching himself into legendary springbok status and overtaking Percy Montgomery (893).
His calm and composed goalkicking has been the staple of his time on the international stage, with the 2019 World Cup in particular being in a large part down to his boot.
9 - Joost van der Westhuizen
Arguably sitting at the top table of all-time scrum halves globally, 1995 World Cup winner Joost van der Westhuizen beats the competition to earn the starting spot in this team.
As a proper all-round number nine, van der Westhuizen's defensive work sets him above the other options at half-back, whilst he also currently sits second in the Springboks' all-time leading try scorers list (38).
Fourie du Preez and Faf de Klerk are also fine options to don the nine shirt, but the 20-year international career from the Blue Bulls one-clubman gives him the edge.
1 - Os du Randt
One of the few two-time World Champions from 1995 and 2007 - as opposed to the 2019 and 2023 squads - Os du Randt was an immovable figure at loosehead prop for South Africa for 13 years.
Os retired in 2008 as a World Champion, having fought off calls from some sections of fans that he was too old to perform in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and cemented himself as a Springbok legend.
2 - Malcolm Marx
One of the more controversial choices in this XV, 2025 World Rugby player of the year Malcolm Marx is selected ahead of legendary captain John Smit at hooker.
A two-time World Champion and 87 cap international at 31, it is hard to argue that Marx's peak is among the highest we've ever seen in a number two in rugby history.
John Smit totalled 111 caps for his country - 83 of them as captain (the most of any player) - but it is fair to assume that Marx is well on track to comfortably beat that total.
This selection is more of a gamble, considering that Marx is yet to cement a legacy higher than Smit, but is made as a prediction which will hopefully age like fine South African wine.
3 - Tendai Mtawarira
One of the most imperious rugby players of all time, Tendai Mtawarira's nickname “Beast” speaks for itself.
A Springbok stalwart for over a decade, Mtawarira made around 120 appearances for his country - ranking him fourth in the all-time standings - and was a key part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup winning squad.
4 - Eben Etzebeth
Arguably South Africa's greatest rugby player of all-time, Eben Etzebeth is the first name of the team sheet.
The Springbok's most capped player of all-time, having represented his country on 141 occasions, Etzebeth's power, breakdown ability and line-out prowess have been vital to the titles won by Erasmus' side.
As with many of this XV, Etzebeth has two Rugby World Cup titles and multiple Rugby Championship titles to his name and, at 34, has scope to add a third to his CV and cement himself as one of the all-time global greats.
5 - Bakkies Botha
Choosing a partner for Etzebeth wasn't easy, with key players such as Victor Matfield and Eli Snyman - among others - all in contention for the number five shirt.
However, Matfield's second row partner Bakkies Botha has been chosen to complete the lock positions.
Standing at over 6 ft 7 tall, Bakkies Botha has one of the highest peaks of any lock to have played for the Springboks and made 85 appearances for his country.
Alongside his 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph, Botha also won two Tri Nations titles and won three consecutive EPCR Champions Cup titles with Toulon at club level.
6 - Siya Kolisi
A two-time Rugby World Cup and Rugby Championship winning captain, the only question mark regarding Siya Kolisi in this XV was whether or not he'd be wearing the armband.
A 103-cap South Africa international, Kolisi made history as the nation's first black captain and ranks seventh in the Springbok's all time leading appearances list.
Only John Smit (83) has made more appearances as captain for the Springboks than Kolisi (70), although you would imagine that - at 34 - there is more than enough time for the current captain to break that record.
Despite all of this, Kolisi is denied the captaincy in this team...
7 - Francois Pienaar (c)
The choice for the competitive openside flanker spot and the captaincy goes to Francois Pienaar.
Such was his importance to the cultural and political shift in South Africa, 1995 World Cup winning captain Pienaar was even portrayed by Matt Damon in the movie Invictus - which told the story of their 1995 World Cup victory.
Spearheading one of the greatest Rugby World Cup upsets of all-time, Pienaar laid the foundations for all previous Springbok success that followed and is an obvious choice to be named in this XV.
8 - Duane Vermeulen
Barnstorming number eight Duane Vermeulen completes the XV, having been a key cog in two Rugby World Cup and one Rugby Championship triumphs.
The 2020 South Africa rugby player of the year has made 76 appearances for the Springboks and has been among the best global players in his position throughout his entire career.
Bench
16 - John Smit
17 - Ox Nche
18 - Frans Malherbe
19 - Victor Matfield
20 - Schalk Burger
21 - Pieter-Steph du Toit
22 - Faf de Klerk
23 - Jean de Villiers
It would be impossible to do an all-time Springboks' squad without utilising the 6-2 split on the bench that has optimised the forwards dominance that South Africa have shown in recent years.
Legendary captain John Smit makes the squad as the back-up hooker, alongside 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup winning front row forwards Ox Nche and Frans Malherbe, as the back up loosehead and tighthead props respectively.
Victor Matfield is the replacement lock chosen, whilst Schalk Burger and two-time World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit complete the forward options on the bench.
Faf de Klerk is the replacement scrum half, alongside Jean de Villiers who is the utility back cover in the 23.
