If 2011 and 2015 was Black to Black, then 2019 and 2023 is Bok to Bok.

The journey of winning the Rugby World Cup once requires immense dedication and skill, but achieving this feat in back-to-back tournaments takes a special kind of team. The South Africa unit has demonstrated an unparalleled winning mentality that goes beyond mere talent, triumphing in all their World Cup knockout games by the slimmest margins imaginable. They refuse to be defeated, doing whatever it takes to secure victory.

This edition of the Rugby World Cup witnessed a total of 48 thrilling matches, each leaving its mark on rugby folklore. From incredible displays of attacking brilliance to defensive heroics and unwavering resolve – each game offered unforgettable memories for fans worldwide.

Using the unique Opta Index – which objectively scores players’ performances throughout the campaign – we can now assemble an exceptional XV comprised of top-performing athletes from this tournament. Let’s delve into each selection alongside pertinent statistics while also acknowledging notable players who narrowly missed out in key positions.

The Best XV: Players Who Shined Brightest

All three Barrett brothers ranked among our top 30 players overall for this tournament; however, Beauden stands tall as our chosen representative in this formidable XV lineup. In the final match, he achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first player ever to score in two men’s Rugby World Cup finals. Additionally, Beauden topped both editions’ rankings for most meters gained (492 in 2023 and 460 in 2019).

Close Contenders:

• Davit Niniashvili (Georgia)
• Thomas Ramos (France)

Frenchman Penaud missed his opportunity to etch himself firmly into the annals of French rugby history due to their quarter-final defeat against South Africa. Nevertheless, he stands out with a commendable performance, having made more breaks than any other player in the tournament (13). Penaud crossed the try line six times and provided five assists, making him one of France’s most prolific scorers in World Cup history alongside Vincent Clerc and Jean-Baptiste Lafond.

Close Contenders:

• Mark Telea (NZ)
• Raffaele Storti (Portugal)
• James Lowe (Ireland)

Ireland’s Ringrose showcased his creative prowess during this tournament despite yet another heartbreak at the quarter-final stage. With six try assists, he holds the record for most try contributions by an Irish player in a men’s Rugby World Cup. His seven breaks also rank second among all centers, just behind teammate Bundee Aki.

Eben Etzebeth undoubtedly stood as one of the standout players throughout this campaign despite facing a shortened run. Scoring five tries and leading all backs with 81 carries, Etzebeth proved himself as an unstoppable force on both attack and defense. Moreover, he made 10 breaks and evaded 30 defenders – ranking third overall in both categories.

New Zealand’s George Jordan equaled the record for most tries scored within a single edition of a men’s Rugby World Cup. With eight electrifying tries to his name – joining Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana, and Julian Savea – Jordan left spectators awestruck with his breathtaking performances. Additionally, he registered 12 impressive breaks and delivered the most dominant tackles (eight) among all All Blacks.

Richie Mo’unga, an exceptional fly-half known for his versatility, emerged at the heart of New Zealand’s success. Displaying creativity both as a ball carrier and distributor while showcasing tactical kicking prowess, Mo’unga impressed throughout this World Cup. He led all fly-halves in break passes made (six), gained the most meters (352), and beat more defenders (21) than any other player in his position.

Close Contenders:

• Matthieu Jalibert (France)

Injury threatened to derail Antoine Dupont’s hopes within this World Cup; however, it was ultimately South Africa who brought an end to his dreams. Despite limited playing time of just 200 minutes, Dupont still managed to dish out the joint-most offloads (10) during the tournament. His elusive style bewildered defenders as he evaded 55% of attempted tackles against him, creating five breaks – more than any other scrum-half in contention.

Close Contenders:

• Aaron Smith (NZ)
• Alex Mitchell (England)

In summary, Ardie Savea stands alone as one of rugby’s relentless forces. Standing tall alongside only a select few players in terms of overall performance metrics – ranking within the top tier across various categories – Savea has solidified his place among rugby’s elite.