Mid-Year Test Series: Best XV

The mid-year Tests are done, and we saw several quality Test matches and performances, Bet Central puts together the best XV of the June/July Test matches.

15: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)

An impact player for the 1st and the 2nd Tests, but he was so good off the bench in both games that we had to include him – maximum impact. Add to that his fine performance against Fiji as a starter and we have our form fullback for this Test window.

Tom Wright had moments of inspiration for the Wallabies, while Cameron Winnett continues to grow for Wales.

Honourable mention: Cameron Winnett (Wales)

14: Filipo Daugunu (Australia)

If there is one player who needed to redeem himself this Test window, it was Filipo Daugunu and the Reds winger did so with aplomb displaying pure pace and power on his way to the tryline across the 3 Tests.
Sevu Reece had his return to the Test setup after missing out on the Rugby World Cup last year.

Honourable mention: Sevu Reece (New Zealand)

13: Jesse Kriel (South Africa)

Picked up where he left off last year in being a defensive lynchpin as well as being a penetrative presence in midfield. Jesse Kriel is simply in sublime form at the moment and few outside centres in world rugby can match up to him right now.

Despite limited playing time, Len Ikitau showed why Eddie Jones made the mistake of leaving him out of the World Cup squad last year.

Honourable mention: Len Ikitau (Australia)

12: Hunter Paisami (Australia)

Another player who with the emergence of Lalakai Foketi and the presence of Samu Kerevi fell down the pecking order. But Hunter Paisami has returned to great form, and he showed it against Wales.

Damian de Allende remains one of the finest proponents of the 12 positions.

Honourable mention: Damian de Allende (South Africa)

11: Mark Telea (New Zealand)

The lanky and deceptively strong Blues winger, Mark Telea is arguably the finest left winger in the world. He is so slippery in the tackle and gets good go-forward momentum.

Kurt-Lee Arendse just can’t have a bad game, also James Lowe’s speed, power, and left boot to add to the Irish arsenal.

Honourable mention: James Lowe (Ireland)

10: Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)

The smiling assassin was finally entrusted with the All-Black no.10 jersey and he did not disappoint as he carried his domestic form onto the Test arena. His battle with Marcus Smith was intriguing.

Smith stepped into the shoes of Owen Farrell with ease and pushed McKenzie for this spot.

Honourable mention: Marcus Smith (England)

9: Alex Mitchell (England)

Just under a year ago, Alex Mitchell was being called up to the England World Cup squad as an injury replacement for Jack van Poortvliet. A year on and he has become un-droppable for this English team. A tactical master against the All Blacks throughout the series.

Cortez Ratima looks like a player with a big Test future, but it’s veteran Connor Murray who played a huge role in the drawn series against the Springboks.

Honourable mention: Connor Murray (Ireland)

8: Caelan Doris (Ireland)

A big game player through and through, Caelan Doris skippered Ireland to a superb victory against the Boks. Add to that his fine performance in the loss in that 1stTest and he is our man at 8.

Ardie Savea did well for the All Blacks as did Ben Earl. Small margins between the 2.

Honourable mention: Ardie Savea (New Zealand)

7: Fraser McReight (Australia)

Has there ever been a nation that has a conveyor belt of openside flankers like Australia? Fraser McReight emerged as a fine option at openside easing the concerns with Michael Hooper’s retirement.

Josh van der Flier and Siya Kolisi were engaged in a fine battle for supremacy across the 2 Tests.

Honourable mention: Siya Kolisi (South Africa)

6: Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)

Pieter-Steph du Toit is a tackling machine and a huge part of the reason the Boks won that 1stTest was his ferocity on defense and relentless ball carrying. He also did well in the narrow loss in Durban.

Chandler Cunningham South is a player with huge potential and that was on show against the All Blacks.

Honourable mention: Chandler Cunningham South (England)

5: Tadgh Beirne (Ireland)

Amongst a plethora of quality players in the Irish setup, there is no one more quietly efficient than Tadgh Beirne as a player. His lineout presence, physicality, and work rate are huge assets for the Irish.

Scott Barrett remains an invaluable member of the All Blacks especially now as the skipper.

Honourable mention: Scott Barrett (New Zealand)

4: Maro Itoje (England)

There are times when he makes superhuman efforts for England look effortless and there were times when Maro Itoje against the All Blacks where he was unreal. He was a disruptive presence and halted the All-Blacks momentum on several occasions.

Joe McCarthy had a good impact on Ireland in the trenches.

3: Frans Malherbe (South Africa)

Frans Malherbe is immovable at the scrum alongside his front-row partner Ox Nche. He is criminally underrated in his defensive work, but he gets through a ton of work.

Tyrel Lomax can be proud of his efforts against England in their series.

Honourable mention: Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)

2: Codie Taylor (New Zealand)

Though he is no longer the force he once was, Codie Taylor remains a top hooker. He had a few lineout wabbles here and there with Itoje picking him off a few times, but other than that he was very good.

Bongi Mbonambi is part of a formidable front row, and he has to take credit for his part in that dominance.

Honourable mention: Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa)

1: Ox Nche (South Africa)

The other anchor of the immovable Springboks front row, there isn’t a better scrummaging loosehead prop than Ox Nche. He terrorised Tadgh Furlong in the scrum and carried strongly.

Ethan de Groot did extremely well against multiple tightheads from the English side.

Honourable mention: Ethan de Groot (New Zealand)

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.