Springbok stars, not just Antoine Dupont, must be in world’s best player mix

COMMENT BY MORGAN BOLTON

Antoine Dupont this, Antoine Dupont that.

It seems that this year, the world of rugby was mesmerised by the Frenchman, living in a fever dream induced by the scrumhalf, swooning at his every move and glare, romanticising his gold medal victory at the Paris Olympic Games, while revelling in his undaunted XVs skills.

There were some truly demented arguments on social media regarding imperious Dupont this year. Either you were all in on his brilliance or outraged that he was receiving so much airtime.

The debate largely focused on whether the 27-year-old scrumhalf should be considered the GOAT of rugby.

For many, it is a moot discussion and foregone conclusion – Dupont is currently the best player in the world, and by extension an early favourite to be nominated and win World Rugby’s Player of the Year award, even though Les Bleus had a torrid year.

Well, that is the sense one gets from the northern hemisphere fervid reasoning.

Personally, I’d pump the brakes on the Dupont discussion, especially after the Springboks so emphatically won the Rugby Championship recently.

To my mind, World Rugby must acknowledge no less than three Boks when they finally announce their shortlist for the prestigious award in the coming weeks; and – with my bias now fully acknowledged – award the top honour to any of that trio.

Cheslin Kolbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche must surely be up for the accolade, with all due respect to Irishmen Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne and Caelan Doris, who also arguably deserve recognition; and the likes of Finn Russell of Scotland, the All Blacks’ Ardie Savea and Dupont.

If World Rugby truly wants to acknowledge what makes the game special and unique, then Reshogofaditswe Nche must be a serious contender, if not the ultimate winner.

No prop has ever won the elite award since its inception in 2001, and that is a travesty.

It’s easy to be recognised when you have the opportunity to do the flashy stuff consistently in a position that sees you control the possession and marshal the play – like Dupont at No 9 – but what makes Nche so exceptional is that he has an impact on the game regardless of that.

He is undoubtedly the best scrummager in rugby right now, and an exceptional footballer in his own right.

The same can be said of PSDT – he doesn’t play with the ball often, but his work-rate off the ball, around the park, on defence and ever-so-often on attack, is simply beyond anything any other player can currently match.

Kolbe, meanwhile, is just simply blockbuster. Much like Nche and Du Toit, the 30-year-old wing toils away with heart and commitment off-the-ball, and makes his presence known by going beyond his station, whether that is feeding the line-out or scrum.

It's not easy to fit an entire competition into 3 minutes, but here you go 🔥🇿🇦

Name some of your favourite moments below👇#Springboks#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/UEsEPoMTdn

— Springboks (@Springboks) October 2, 2024

Earlier this month, while speaking to Victor Matfield, the Springbok legend declared who he believes is the best player in the world right now, an assessment many will agree with, including this writer.

“I think Dupont is a fantastic player,” said Matfield, after acknowledging that he is on the committee that will decide the Player of the Year, “but he hasn’t played any top international rugby at this stage to even be in the running.

“At this stage, it must be one of the South African players … I think Pieter-Steph is standing out.”

“I tell you,” another Bok legend, Naas Botha, agreed, “you’d be really brave to vote against Pieter-Steph … he is a different kind of animal.”