Share

One Bok in Woodward's World XV

Cape Town - Former England World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has named one Springbok in his World XV team.

The 60-year-old, who guided England to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003, picked his World XV in a column he wrote for England's Daily Mail website. 

Lock Eben Etzebeth was the only Springbok in his side. 

Interestingly, Woodward picked just two England players in his side despite their recent 3-0 series win in Australia. 

That was new coach Eddie Jones' first tour of the southern hemisphere as England coach and the performance was a serious warning to the rest of the world that England are on the right track in their bid to become world champions in Japan in 2019. 

But Woodward seems to think that the English still have a long way to go, and he believes that only flyhalf/centre Owen Farrell and lock Maro Itoje from the current crop would make his world team. 

"They are still nowhere near the finished article," Woodward wrote.

"There is still clear daylight between New Zealand and the rest of the world. This England team won’t win the World Cup, although some of those playing in Sydney on Saturday will certainly provide the core of the team at the 2019 event in Japan." 

Clive Woodward's 'Top Team':

15 Israel Folau (Australia), 14 Ben Smith (NZ), 13 Sonny-Bill Williams (NZ), 12 Wesley Fofana (France), 11 Juan Imhoff (Argentina), 10 Owen Farrell (England), 9 Aaron Smith (NZ), 8 Kieran Read (NZ), 7 David Pocock (Australia), 6 Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia), 5 Eben Etzebeth (SA), 4 Maro Itoje (England), 3 Ramiro Herrera (Argentina), 2 Dane Coles (NZ), 1 Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1116 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1281 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1975 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE