Five Springboks make southern hemisphere Form XV

Five Springboks have been named in Oval Insights’ Southern Hemisphere Form XV ahead of the November leg of the Nations Championship, but does the data really reflect the best players in world rugby right now?

With the Nations Championship resuming on Friday, 6 November, the tournament’s official website has showcased a statistical selection of the southern hemisphere’s standout performers heading into the final international window of 2026.

Using data supplied by Oval Insights, the team was selected according to average performance ratings over the past 60 days, with players required to have made at least four appearances and been included in their national squads.

The result is a fascinating XV featuring established superstars, emerging talent and several selections guaranteed to generate debate.

South Africa provides five players, New Zealand four, Australia two, Fiji two, Argentina one and Japan one.

The Springbok contingent includes Ntuthuko Mchunu, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Handré Pollard and Edwill van der Merwe.

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Mchunu is the highest-rated forward in the entire southern selection, averaging an impressive 8.3, while Marx follows closely with 8.2.

New Zealand scrumhalf Cam Roigard earns an 8.1 rating, but Argentina centre Justo Piccardo tops the entire backline with an outstanding 8.4.

Interestingly, some of the biggest names in southern hemisphere rugby are missing, illustrating the difference between selecting a team based on recent statistical performance and choosing the strongest possible Test XV.

Oval Insights’ Southern Hemisphere Form XV

The selection is especially interesting given South Africa’s extraordinary depth, with only five Springboks making the statistical cut despite the team’s success on the international stage.

Pollard’s inclusion at flyhalf reflects his experience and recent performances, while Van der Merwe’s selection highlights the growing competition for places among South Africa’s outside backs.

The loose trio is another talking point, with Lakai, McReight and Sititi occupying all three positions ahead of South Africa’s established loose forwards.

Of course, form ratings do not necessarily tell the whole story.

Test rugby demands combinations, tactical understanding, physical dominance and the ability to deliver under pressure. A player with outstanding individual numbers might not automatically be the best choice in a particular national setup.

And that is what makes this selection such an interesting starting point for debate.

Keo, in reflecting on the team, felt it skewed because it was unclear if it spoke to Test form or club form. If Test form, the selection of Pollard can never be justified as he did not play in any of the four Springboks Tests against the All Blacks. He has only played in two of the Springboks eight Tests this season.

Equally, Van der Merwe’s selection, given Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Ethan Hooker were the primary wingers for the majority of the 2026 Test season.

All Blacks winger Will Jordan’s omission is inexplicable. He has the greatest strike rate of any winger to have played Test rugby and featured in the majority of the All Blacks Tests in 2026.

Any southern hemisphere 2026 Form XV has to have one of Damian de Allende or Jordie Barrett at No 12. Their omission as simply madness.

Walllace Sititi, at No 8, effectively played two Bledisloe Cup matches against Australia. Jasper Wiese and Harry Wilson owned the No 8 for their respective nations.

With the greatest respect to Ntuthuko Mchunu, no southern hemisphere Form XV can be taken seriously that excludes Ox Nche.

Perhaps, at best in Cam Roigaard, Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx, there are three players who global standing based on performance in 2026 would give integrity to a Form XV that is so out of sync with any authentic Form XV, based on the 2026 Test season.

The November series will provide an opportunity to judge these selections against the demands of international rugby as the southern hemisphere’s leading nations prepare to face their northern rivals.

But before the action begins, we want to hear from you.

Do you agree with Oval Insights’ Southern Hemisphere Form XV? Which players deserve to be included, and who would you leave out?

Let us know your selections in the comments.