Rugby's 2025: South Africa's Dominance, France's Triumph, and England's Rise
South Africa's rugby prowess shone in 2025, starting and ending the year as the world's top-ranked team. Their success was built on a deep squad and a formidable scrum, setting them up as the favorites for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The Springboks successfully defended the Rugby Championship, delivering a record-breaking test defeat to New Zealand, and securing comprehensive victories in France and Ireland. They also achieved a record-breaking score against a struggling Welsh side in Cardiff.
However, the year wasn't without its challenges. A second-half collapse at Ellis Park against Australia, who secured a rare win in Johannesburg, and a disappointing performance against New Zealand in Auckland, where they failed to break an 88-year hoodoo, marred their record. Despite these setbacks, South Africa's versatility was evident, as they utilized over 50 players, winning 12 out of 14 tests with ease. This included a historic 43-10 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington, showcasing their evolving, expansive playing style under attack coach Tony Brown.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu emerged as a star, scoring an impressive nine tries between September and November, becoming the Springbok fly-half with the most tries ever, surpassing Morne Steyn and Handre Pollard. But it was their scrum's consistent performance, regardless of the forward pack, that truly alarmed rivals. When penalties were needed, the set-piece almost always delivered, solidifying South Africa's dominance in the rugby world.
