If you look at the stats. This springbok team scored more backline tries than forward tries over the last 4 yrs.This just shows you how versatile they've become. Wasn't rugby always about grinding up front and tiring your opponents, and when this happen, you play for the space. We as springboks struggled to finish when we had the chance, but oh boy do we like scoring those tries out wide now

The Springboks won four out of eight tournaments that they played. During that same period the Allblacks won two, the Australians one and England one. That should more or less any argument to who is the best rugby team in the world.

The boks won a world cup without 4 main players "De Jager, Malcom, Mapimpi and Lukanya". In 2015 the index between NZ and Ireland at 4th was daylight. The game has moved on because of the introduction of new rules as a resul Tier 1 teams have become much stronger and the games less one-sided than before.

Fair point about 2015 AB team. But....how strong were the rest at that stage? Irish, French etc then compared to now? I would say that the top 6 teams now are far stronger than in 2015.

South Africa can win the next 8 World Cups back to back and everyone will still say yeah they were lucky or yeah the AB this and that…😂😂😂

I don't think this Springbok squad is quite done yet. Have a look at how many of the current squad will still be in line to play 2027.

You do realize South Africa was involved in the 3 best games of the world cup. vs France, Ireland and NZ, all the while playing different strategies in each game. That's next level.

That Abs team also had a 90% win rate, part of the 9 years dominance at number 1. So 2015 Abs team I agree

Coming to watch quarter finalists cry... you guys dont disappoint. The best teams in the world win cups.🏆🏆🏆🏆🇿🇦

I can't agree with Brian, even as an Ireland fan. The current SA team played amazing rugby, and look at the tactical choices they made in every game, Rassie had everyone bamboozled. As amazing as the 2015 New Zealand team were, if they had to face the current Boks side, the Boks side would find a way to win BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY DO.

What many people don't fully appreciate about this Bok team is that they can do the "grind" game better than anyone but they now also have the ability to "razzle dazzle" .... think we will see them grow that part of the game even more in the next 4 years ...

I notice that BOD stood next to Bryan Habana when Barnes blew the final whistle and took a while to congratulate him when the Boks won.

Achieving success against the world's top five rugby teams requires more than just an emphasis on playing beautiful rugby. It demands a strategic approach, necessitating a team with exceptional skills, physical conditioning, and unwavering determination. In the process, one must carefully evaluate scenario-based questions within their specific contexts. Ironically, Ireland, in their pursuit of attractive rugby, suffered defeat and another quarter-final exit. New Zealand's defeat can, in part, be attributed to their extensive use of ball-in-hand play, while South Africa opted for a more conservative approach due to their lead. It's important to remember that when you aggressively attack the game, you expose yourself to the inherent risk of a counter-attack.

In the last 15 Bok matches they won 13 and lost 2. Beat ITA BY 42 Beat Aus by 31 Beat NZ by 28 Beat Wal by 28 Beat Eng twice Beat France Played world number 1,2,4,5 & 6 to reach the WC final and then still found a way to win the World Cup. Previously Irish pundits said they were lucky to beat the Boks at the World Cup with no recognised kicker. If Pollard was playing it was game over. They spoke about that last-minute maul could have been a penalty or penalty try. But it wasn't to be and the Irish won "with their style of rugby". I rate the 2015 NZ team but I think this Bok squad would find the way to beat them. Probably by 1pt. Time to give credit where credit is due. Some say that last year's World Player of the Year should have been Ardie Savea and not JVDF. Ardie would have back-to-back World Player of the Year awards now.

8 world cups 4 wins. The beautiful numbers vs the beautiful game.

I'd argue that the "best rugby" is winning mate. Pretty isn't always best

Hilarious ………. It does not matter what anyone says regardless of the legendary 2015 AB’s or 2023 Boks. The fact is South Africa needs to build a bigger Trophy cabinet and Ireland can play beautiful rugby to win their next pool games

People forget that the 2015 All Blacks beat SA by only 2 points in the semi final, and they thrashed a lucky Australian tema (they reached the final by getting a penalty against Scotland in the final minute and in a time when Australia was dominated by New Zealand

This squad of BOKS is without a doubt the best rugby team EVER. Back to back victories AWAY from home and the toughest route to a final EVER.

I think the 2015 ABs are better because they dominated in between WCs as well as at the tournament. 2023 Boks might be the best pack of all time though

BOD sounds like he regrets playing for Ireland and actually wanted to be a AB 🤣😂.

That is an oxymoron, Brian. The best team needs to play the 'best rugby'. The best rugby is the rugby that wins World Cups. So, therefore, this team would be considered a better team than the 2015 World Cup having beaten the tournament favourites and hosts, France and then beating the most successful Rugby team of all time in the final. They played 'the best' because they won.

It’s crazy to think that in less than a decade you can’t even compare the styles of the two GOAT teams because of how different the game is. I’m talking reffing of the breakdown, 50:22’s, tackle rules the list goes on. If it was the space jam scenario though I’d have to go with the Kiwis from 2015.

It's hard to argue against that AB's 2015 team, they really were special! The Boks are on the beginning of a great journey - having finally rebooted their entire system (thanks to THAT AB shellacking) after decades of terminal illness. Rassie & Jacques helped kick start the thing & the feeling is it will only improve.

These things are fun but really impossible to say. Teams strength is both a factor of how good they are as well as the opposition. Although they beat most opponents in that World Cup pretty easily it was actually a 2 point game against the Springboks (the same team that lost against Japan.) As South African fan I have to admit that 2015 era All Blacks were amazing especially on individual player level. This Springbok group though has something else as far as a team squad (not only the 15 on the field) - and sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

You keep your best team theories, hey you can even keep the awards, team of the tournament and take the number ranking. We will just rock up in 4 years time and unleash the Sjambok on y'all again

Remember New Zealand were at home for the 2011 World cup made things much easier for them. The South African teams won both world cup away from home that's got to count for something

And 1 of those worldcups for NZ was at home. Both for SA IS AWAY

I can make a very good case for the 2007 Boks being even better. Bakkies and Matfield in the 2nd row. John Smit and Os du Rant in the FR, Burger, Juan Smith and Roussouw in the BR and then you have Fourie de Preez at SH, De Villiers and Fourie in the centre, and Habana, JPP and Percy the back 3! And bench players like Bismarck du Plessis, Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn, Skinstad....

The individual World Cup wins for SA were better than NZ's two wins, but that New Zealand team were overall more dominant and consistent between the World Cups. NZ '15 are still no.1 but SA '23 is 2nd or 3rd at worst.

Obviously this is hypothetical, but if the 2015 AB’s played the 2023 Boks they wouldn’t have been allowed to play their beautiful rugby because they would have been under so much more pressure …

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂I love these guys…great player but didn’t even make a semi

Argument could be made that this current SA squad is the best tournament team, but even then the 2015 ABs were incredible, and between the cups SA haven't been the best team (recently thats been Ireland, previously it's usually been the ABs). All a bit pointless, SA are the current champions, but will they maintain that level? Maybe, but let's see how they go for the next four years.

The Bokz had an exceptional WC, winning 3 consecutive knockout games by 1 was amazing and showed how heart and determination can win games, and not just who executes their strategies the best. In relation to O’driscall’s argument, 2015 ABz did play better all round rugby. In the last 2 games, Bokz only scored 1 try, couldn’t score in the final, lost their tryless final record against 14men, didn’t score any points in the 2nd half, and won by 1 against 14men for 50mins. I reckon the 2015 Bokz would beat today’s

All blacks 2015 is by far the greatest ever. There stats from 2011-2015 says it all. No other team in history have more wins than the All Blacks. 77% wins since 1903. Record wins over top tier nations. Vs Sth Africa 57-0 Vs Ireland 60-0 Vs England 64-22 Vs Wales 55-3 Vs Scotland 69-20 Vs France 62-13 Vs Australia 57-22 Vs Italy 101-3

I agree the 2015 AB teams were the best team.

Is Brian still saying it could/should have been us😂😂😂😂

I agree agree with OD. 2015 was a great team! 2023 Springboks won by 1 point and played most of the game against 14

But I find it strange that rugby is running rugby, only the are other parts off rugby tht make rugby defense, scrum ,kicking tactical tht form part off the game so you is it that other countries expect South Africa to play the same game as thm ,if we as SA decided we do not want a running game what's wrong is it not part off the rules off the game At the end it is winning games

South africa won on the day. Me personally, thought it would be an Irish/France final, because the of the style of play and results. The last three games that South africa played were by won by 1 point with some dodgy ref/tmo intervention…thats the game at the end of the day. Good on South africa they had some very lucky calls that went their way but also played their guts out to win.

Oh & subscribed. Euro legends my word😍🤩

Love it! Go All Blacks!

The 2015 AB's were great but at that time there wasn't 3, 4 or 5 other nations that were as strong and competitive. This SA team's path to victory in this wc is incomparable in it's difficulty & are therefore definitely a good shout as the greatest. That said, SA will frankly never get credit from especially the northern hemisphere no matter what they achieve. I'll take 4 times wc champions everyday over the opinions of "never won/ never passed a quarterfinal people."

As a South African I can concede that NZ were better but this bok team would beat them 50% of the time

What people actually forget lots of the teams are more professional and a lot stronger than when the All Blacks were so dominant. Rugby change through the years

Firstly, Brian is a legend - the real World Cup final in 2015 was the semi between SA and NZ and 2 points separated the two teams - this SA outfit is a much much better one than the 2015 SA team. Therefore I do believe that the SA team of 2023 would dismantle NZ of 2015

The big difference 2015 All Blacks proved they were best. The All Blacks don’t go on holiday for another four years. The All Blacks keep on winning. Great teams keep it going.

Its such a shame that the Boks get no credit for their incredible innovation and have won 50% of all the world cup tournaments they've been a part of. It's really just a shame...

People have a lot to say about this tournament, watch Rassie come back and make it 3 for 3. Then I hope everyone will shurrup and admit the boks have something different about them. Lots of ifs and buts, but I tell you one thing you cannot deny. 1. If Pollard was fit 2. If Marx didnt get injured 3. If Lood was playing (no disrespect to Franco) 4. If Am was fit (no disrespect to Kriel) This tournament would've seen the full force of the boks and it wouldve been undeniable.

2023 Irish team is best team to go into world cup and not win a single play off game ever😢😢😂😂

I think people need to look at the French game and realise that there was some shocking decisions that went against them and south Africa can count themselves very lucky to progress from that. Few very suspect decisions from the ref

Brian O'Driscoll: "The Springboks are not the greatest, because they don't play rugby that I like." 🙃

wish i could see this game, current Springboks with all their current injured stars...Am, Marks, de Jager against that Richie McCaw team. This match would be clash of the titans for sure

60 odd million South Africans were never bored with the play...

In 2015, the All Blacks beat the Boks by 2 points in the semi final, which could have gone either way. They definitely didn't look better than us on that day. Difference is, South Africa now win those close games. Before 2018, we used to lose them. We only lost to Ireland in that first game, because we didn't have a kicker.

I think the fact that the Springbok team was not really given a chance and the last three games showing something more than skill more than talent makes them the GOATS. the All Blacks are like the Gypsie King we all expect him to will but when a guy shows up from MMA without a fight comes and knocks him out we all kinda look the other way. Here is to the BoKs the teams that no body can congratulate without adding a "but" the team that beat the odds the prodigal sons that made the game more than a just game. No team has ever dug so deep.

Can't believe you went to a Space Jam question lolol

I totally agree with Brian. However I don't think they would have won the 2011 if Brace Lawrence was not in the squad.

We are suffering from success as Springbok fans. 😅😅

All speculation WOULD'VE love to have seen them playing each other.

the core of this bok team also won in 2019, defended the cup (both away from home) have a win percentage in world cups of 50% (ab's 30%), beat the Lions after not playing any tests for 18 months, played one of the best tests of all time against the home nation france (scoring 4 tries to 3) had the hardest run to any world cup final ever and dont forget left 11 points on the table in the game against ireland! Personally wouldve loved ireland in the final, way easier for the boks. Respect BOD as a player but what is he smoking?

The question defines the answer. The 2015 AB team was the best team to watch play rugby. The 2023 SA team is the best RWC winning team.

The 2023 Springboks team is the best defensive team there has ever been. They always win when it matters most. The 2015 ABs were probably the best attacking team with Carter being a remarkable kicker too... but I believe a good defense beat a good attack any day. Look back at the final, South Africa couldnt get any of their set pieces to be a weapon - and still won!

The 2023 bok team wil beat 2015 Allbacks with 1 point!

nz back to back one at home. SA both away from home

2015 Boks VS ABs 18 - 20 I think this team is better than the 2015 team and there was nothing between ABs and Boks then.

What did you expect from Brian O'Driscoll.

great correct comments from a legend

I am a Bok and have to agree that 2015 AB side was just crazy man. But in terms of the Boks being boring and everyone complaining about their style of play. Totally utter Bull that back three of SA at this moment might very well stake a claim on the Back three of the AB 2015 side without a doubt. If two games can point out that the Boks can use both pack and backs 2019 WC Final and the Quarters against France 🇫🇷 .... Cheslin is so underrated, man, and I promise you Willemse and Arendse will only get better with Canan taking over the 13. The Boks can switch up their play much better than any other team in World Rugby. But no one is talking about it. The 5-3 split against France mind-blowing lol .... And it worked the fact that the Boks have so many utility backs that also indicate the talents we have. But the hate is real, man. So proud of the Boks !!!

Its really gone from sad to down right ludicrous. The SA/IRE pool game was lauded by same critics as one of the best games ever, the SA/France game was one of the fastest flowing games and considered one of the best in the history of the tournament. Once by a point and you start thinking, lucky, twice, probably dodged a bullet, but three times, you just take your hat off. South African rugby has its own DNA so as fans we dont share your opinion of what constitutes great rugby. Great teams can adapt to the changes in conditions. I cant think of another team in history that has had to take this route to a final. The greatest feat to date in worldcup history. No equal. Oh and then there's 2019.

I don’t think this conversation should only revolve around the World Cup years. The 2005 NZ team that dispatched the Lions 3 times are the best team I’ve ever seen.

The question should also be; What is the best rugby?

The officiating and rules are heavily in favour of the defensive team and it suit the boks game perfectly. Makes it so easy for them to just win games. The fact is the AB's were robbed last weekend by the match officials (it actually all comes back too BILL BEAUMONT IMO!!). If you rewatch that game the tmo's and barnes totally destroyed almost any chance of them winning that game yet they nearly did. Eben alone should of been carded TWICE = red card for a leading elbow on cane during a carry and the offside incident. And Bongi should of been penalized for sealing the ball off with that ridiculous leg wide open stance he did (which should be illegal in itself if player safety is really an issue as thats asking for an injury via mistake or on purpose which this clearly wasnt). Also in that incident the Ginga Bok prop comes in and forearms/elbows Frizzel in the face just prior to him clumisly landing on bongi's leg. So this incident should of been a penalty on bongi sealing the ball and then a card on the ginga prop for a forearm cleanout to the face on frizzell. Then just on those four instances alone the game totally changes doesnt it!???

I loved seeing his face when the Boks won, almost as good as seeing him pee his pants when Bismark almost moered him.

71or 74Lions teams were unbelievable and 2005 ABs team that beat the Lions when Dan Carter was unplayable was good

it's like asking who's the greatest boxer Ali or Tyson or tennis player Dokovic Nadal Federer or soccer player Pe'le Maradona Messi Randalo or racing driver Schumacher Senna Hamilton or NBL player or golfer Nicklaus or Woods they all have made a impact on their sports if you go on statistics you have a winner if you go on the wealth they have made from their sports you clearly have a winner

As a South African, I completely agree with Brian. All Blacks of 2015, especially when you consider their winning percentage over a long period of time.

I think you have to take in context, the caliber of opposition played in the years, in the year 2015 how many really good teams where there? So yes the 2015 NZ team could play very attractive "good looking" rugby, but the opposition where not nearly as good as the opposition teams now. Now in 2023, Ireland are brilliant, France are brilliant, NZ are Brilliant. Games are harder now, more players that are great now.

What a joke. If it was Kolisi who got a red in the first half, ABs would've won by 20. The Boks barely held on playing against a 14 man squad while receiving several handouts from the ref. They weren't even the best team in their pool, let alone the tournament.

World Rugby has acknowledged that Aaron Smith try should of stood according to their rules. They disallowed that try after four phases of play.Their rules state they cannot disallow try for infringement after two phases of play. The TMO interfered after four minutes of play.Nigel Owens mentioned our game cannot refereed by the TMO. We don’t want our game refereed by replay.

I think they are. Yes, I am South Africa and I am biased. But, people who don't know South African Rugby won't know our priorities when it gets to being successful in terms of winning trophies and results. We simply work in 4 year cycles. For 4 years, we build depth, we try things, we build experience, we test combinations, we are simply building towards the next world cup. Yes, we would like the win the Rugby championship, but that is not our main priority. Of course we don't go out there to lose, we want to win every game, but once again, we use lot of those matches to gain information for our next World Cup. Our main priority is always the next world cup. In 2024, our priority will be to have the best team in the world in 2027. The World Cup is literally the only trophy that unites our country and in a World Cup we are almost the finished product that we trialed for the past 4 years. In 2018, this team had a plan to win the World Cup 2023. It just happened that we won 2019. 2020 was completely written off due to South Africa's strict Covid government restrictions. They literally went into the Lions Series with limited preparation, a year behind the rest of the world and they managed to win it. Right after the Lions series, attention turned to the world cup. This team is incredible. 2 World Cups, back to back and a Lions series. Unbelievable. Now, it is time to groom the next generation. The 2015 All Black team would not stand a chance against this team. There are two ways of playing the game. This team know how to win. Luckily BOD's opinion carries no weight when it gets to our rugby.

That 2015 NZ team looked amazing because the rest of the field were rubbish. Only SA were a challenge, whom they only narrowly beat 20-18 in the Semi's. They crushed France 62-13 in the Quarters, and Australia 34-17 in the Finals. They had an easy Pool compared to SA once again. SA scored more points in the Pool stages than NZ, 176-141. So if you Put 2015 NZ up against 2023 Springboks, the Boks win every single day of the week. WITH OUT A DOUBT.

I would have the 2011-15 ABs way out in front by themselves...the Boks didn't dominate teams massively on the scoreboard like they did and I think in this WC the Boks rode their luck and had an unbelievelable clutch goal kicker in Pollard to get them over the line just. How can this SA team be the greatest when they lost to Ireland, but if Pollard was playing in that match they probably would have won that too.

It's weird how the Irish pundits still find ways to chuck an Irish perspective even when talking about the greatest rugby teams in the history of the game.

The would’ve couldn’t crowd, clinging to memories of an AB team that did not play this World Cup. Utter disrespect to how SA were able to show the world how vulnerable the opposition is and easily making them buckle under basic pressure.

Note Brian, this world cup had tougher NH teams they did play well and more than one team where favoured 2015 Nz where faviourits and duly won, they did not play 4 or5 of the top ranked teams on the trot and if memory is correct they scraped though against SA

The 2015 team was great but they narrowly won the Springboks in the semi final by one or two points. The refs penalty reversal probably made the difference in that game.

This Springbok side (with Marx and Am) would beat the 2015 ABs. There, I said it. Change my mind.

for this Springbok team to even be in conversation with that 2015 all blacks are great in itself !!!!!!!

Not forgetting that going into this world cup, Ireland considered themselves the best team in the world. Everyone thinks they're the best for different reasons.

It’s ok, we’ll just have to win 3 back to back and then we can sit back and watch everyone play verbal gymnastics again to avoid giving the Boks the credit they deserve.

The All Blacks are and will be the greatest rugby team ever. Period! Just refer to the record books.

best rugby isn't always winning rugby Brian! and BTW SA lost with 2 points against what NZ team in semies

South Africa is going to win another world and the guy in the black jersey that cup its going to be for him that guy is heartbroken 4 times you can take that to the bank.

Has BOD every entertained coaching in thee Irish set up? Please answer, thanks you.

I see nothing changes here

"Best rugby" is very subjective. We love a scrum in South Africa.

Springboks rock ❤

You only need to look at how many of the players in either team would make the majority of everyones Best XV of all time and that would lean heavily towards that 2015 All Black team, Richie McCaw is usually the first person picked in those teams, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu etc....but there wont be any players picked from the 2023 Bok team (hope our SA brethren dont get offended) I reckon the 2015 Bok team would beat this years Bok team, at least that team will have a couple of players in discussion in the Best XV or all time in Matfield, Habana and Burger.

Did Etzebeth not say it was the best ever Bok team? Might be wrong