The 2025 Six Nations kicks off this week and in celebration the SA Rugby magazine team has selected a South African XV of players capped in the European championship.
15 Scott Spedding (France)
Born in Krugersdorp, Spedding played fullback for Les Bleus, earning 23 Test caps from 2014 to 2017. Known for his strong boot and consistency under the high ball, he debuted in the 2015 Six Nations against Scotland and featured prominently in that year’s campaign.
14 Kyle Steyn (Scotland)
Hailing from Johannesburg, Steyn debuted for Scotland in 2021. The former Griquas flyer starred in the 2023 Six Nations, scoring four tries against Italy. His supreme finishing has made him a key attacking weapon for Gregor Townsend’s charges, building on his success as skipper of Vodacom URC champions Glasgow Warriors.
13 Stuart Abbott (England)
Bishops old boy Stuart Abbott left the Stormers to play for London Wasps in 2002 and went on to win the Premiership and Heineken Cup. He debuted for England in 2003, playing in nine Test matches, and was part of the 2003 World Cup-winning squad.
12 Brad Barritt (England)
A Durban native who came up through the Sharks ranks, Barritt earned 26 caps as a centre for England between 2012 and 2015. The tough-as-nails Saracens legend played a key role in England’s 2012 Six Nations campaign, starting in their memorable win over France in Paris.
11 Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Originally from Nelspruit, the powerful Van der Merwe debuted for Scotland in 2020, and was the top try-scorer in the 2021 Six Nations, helping the Scots claim famous wins over England and France.
10 Mike Catt (England)
Born in Port Elizabeth, Catt represented England as a flyhalf, centre and fullback in 75 appearances from 1994 to 2007. He featured in multiple Six Nations campaigns, playing a pivotal role in England’s 1995 Grand Slam. Catt’s versatility and tactical nous were hallmarks of his career, which also included a World Cup triumph in 2003.
9 Rory Kockott (France)
Kockott earned 11 caps as a France scrumhalf between 2014 and 2015 after making his way overseas via the Sharks and Lions. The East London-born halfback debuted in the 2014 Six Nations against Scotland, bringing sharp service and accurate goal-kicking to the French backline.
8 Braam Steyn (Italy)
A native of Cradock, Steyn played loose forward for Italy, earning 55 caps from 2016 to 2023. He was a consistent performer in the Six Nations, notably scoring against Scotland in 2019. Steyn’s powerful ball-carrying and defensive workrate were integral to Italy’s forward pack.
7 Bernard le Roux (France)
Le Roux earned 49 caps for France as a lock/flanker between 2013 and 2021. The Moorreesburg powerhouse stood out in France’s Six Nations resurgence, particularly in 2020. Renowned for his physicality and lineout prowess, Le Roux was a tireless enforcer in the pack.
6 CJ Stander (Ireland)
The dynamic back-rower earned 51 caps for his adoptive Ireland. A Six Nations standout, the former Vodacom Bulls bruiser helped Ireland win the Grand Slam in 2018. Known for his relentless carries and work ethic, Stander was a cornerstone of Ireland’s pack from 2016 to 2021.
5 Carlo Del Fava (Italy)
Umtata-born Del Fava played the first of 52 Tests for Italy in the 2004 Six Nations championship, the former SA Under-21 lock beginning a journeyman career that included six different European clubs after taking his first steps in Durban for the Sharks.
4 Jean Kleyn (Ireland)
Born in Johannesburg, Springbok lock Kleyn debuted for Ireland in 2019. Known for his uncompromising approach, the 2023 World Cup winner played in the 2020 Six Nations, adding physicality and set-piece strength for the men from the Emerald Isle.
3 WP Nel (Scotland)
Nel made 206 appearances for Edinburgh after moving to the Scottish capital at the age of 26. A HTS Drostdy old boy, Nel got to Scotland via Western Province, Boland and the Cheetahs, and went on to play 61 Tests for the Bravehearts between 2015-2023.
2 Rob Herring (Ireland)
A product of SACS in Cape Town, Ulster’s Herring debuted for Ireland in 2014. The hooker featured strongly in Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning campaigns in 2018 and 2023, and has solidified his place in the Irish setup with his accuracy at the lineout and he is always reliable in the scrums and open play.
1 Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
The former Bulls loosehead made his Scotland bow in 2021 after qualifying on residency following his move to Edinburgh. A standout in the 2023 Six Nations, the affable Schoeman has become a fan favourite thanks to his strength and dynamism around the park for club and country.
Honourable mentions: Richardt Strauss (Ireland, hooker), Pieter de Villiers (France, prop), Oli Kebble (Scotland, prop), Allan Dell (Scotland, prop), Paul Willemse (France, lock), Dion O’Cuinneagain (Ireland, lock), Quinn Roux (Ireland, lock), Mouritz Botha (England, lock), Josh Strauss (Scotland, loose forward), Don Armand (England, loose forward), Cornell du Preez (Scotland, loose forward), Brian Liebenberg (France, centre), Jaco van der Walt (Scotland, utility back).
Management team
Head coach: Nick Mallett (Italy). Defence coach: Brendan Venter (Italy). Attack coach: Franco Smith (Italy). Kicking coach: Vlok Cilliers (France).
Photo: Caean Couto/Getty Images
