A trio of World Cup-winning Springboks have been recognised among the best of the best to have ever played the 15-man game.

According to fans voting for their standout players on The Top Tens, the star-studded lineup includes six Kiwis, two Englishmen, two Welshmen, two Australians, two Irishmen and a player each from France, Italy and Fiji.

MORE: Two Boks in 2022 World XV

Still the highest point-scorer in Bok history – despite retiring from Test rugby 15 years ago – Percy Montgomery became the first South African Test centurion in 2008 when he ran out against the All Blacks at Newlands, and is ninth on this all-time list of elite rugby union internationals.

Fellow 2007 World Cup heroes Schalk Burger and Bryan Habana, who holds the record with iconic All Blacks wing and top-ranked Jonah Lomu for the highest number of tries scored at Rugby World Cups (15), are 16th and 19th, respectively.

The Top Tens’ top 20:

20. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
19. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
18. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
17. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)
16. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
15. Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Fiji)
14. Willie John McBride (Wales)
13. Serge Blanco (France)
12. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
11. Carlos Spencer (New Zealand)
10. Martin Johnson (England)
9. Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
8. David Pocock (Australia)
7. Michael Jones (New Zealand)
6. David Campese (Australia)
5. Gareth Edwards (Wales)
4. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
3. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Photo: Getty Images