Selecting a best of the best from those who starred for club and country over the past 12 months, Midi Olympique’s line-up includes five Kiwis, two Frenchmen, one Englishman, one Irishman and one Welshman.

One of the world’s great tighthead props and a player with an unbelievable work rate on defence, Frans Malherbe, has been South Africa’s first-choice anchor in the Rassie Erasmus era.

He started 10 of the Boks’ 13 Tests this year, which included a Rugby World Cup final appearance against the All Blacks in France.

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Renowned for his strength and physique, the formidable and physically-imposing Eben Etzebeth has been recognised as one of the giants of world rugby, and the Test centurion packs down in the second row after helping the Boks defend their title in France.

Arguably the most indispensable Bok player under the current coaching regime and an invaluable member in their back-to-back Webb Ellis Cup triumph, blindside flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit capped off his third world cup appearance with a man of the match performance in the decider.

Jesse Kriel has played second fiddle for some time to Lukhanyo Am, but the 29-year-old quite literally gave blood, sweat, and tears in the green and gold jumper at France 2023 as the only recognised outside centre in the Bok squad.

Midi Olympique’s World XV – 15 Thomas Ramos (France), 14 Will Jordan (New Zealand), 13 Jesse Kriel (South Africa), 12 Bundee Aki (Ireland), 11 Mark Tele’a (New Zealand), 10 Owen Farrell (England), 9 Aaron Smith (New Zealand), 8 Ardie Savea (New Zealand), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), 6 Jac Morgan (Wales), 5 Scott Barrett (New Zealand), 4 Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), 3 Frans Malherbe (South Africa), 2 Peato Mauvaka (France), 1 Ox Nche (South Africa).