SA Rugby magazine identifies the players to watch at the global showpiece in France.
Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
The definition of tackle fight, the ferocious Savea stands tall in an All Blacks pack that is currently short of genuine star power. Savea’s 2022 highlights reel left everyone asking why the 29-year-old No 8 did not make the shortlist for the World Rugby Player of the Year award and Team of the Year. To watch the Hurricanes skipper is to watch something special every game. Savea has the wheels of a winger, the hands of a centre and the physicality and ferocity required of his position in the forwards.
Thomas Ramos (France)
Toulouse utility back Ramos is a consistent and reliable performer for club and country. A versatile playmaker, as he can play fullback and flyhalf, Ramos is a proven goal-kicking machine, while also a try-scoring threat from set piece and broken play. He featured prominently for France in their Grand Slam-winning Six Nations campaign last year, and scored an impressive intercept try against Scotland during the 2023 tournament. He has won the Top 14 twice and the Champions Cup with Toulouse, where his interplay with national teammates Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack is pivotal.
Ange Capuozzo (Italy)
Fullback Capuozzo scooped World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2022 after his dynamism and crisp finishing for Italy came to the fore in memorable victories over Wales and Australia. He again proved a threat in this year’s Six Nations as part of a vibrant and dangerous outfit.
– Read the full Pool A team previews in the 164-page World Cup special edition of SA Rugby magazine