South Africa won their third and most recent Rugby World Cup title in Japan last year by overcoming England 32-12 in an action packed final in Yokohama.
It was the second time that the Springboks had beaten the English in a World Cup final, having also done so in 2007 with a 15-6 victory in Paris, while South Africa's first World Cup triumph came on home soil in 1995 when -- against all odds -- they beat favourtites New Zealand 15-12 in Johannesburg.
Over the past 25 years, some of the greatest players in world rugby have donned the Springboks jersey and played a key role in making South Africa the joint most successful team in World Cup history.
In celebration, Betway has chosen a combined 23 of South Africa's World Cup winning rugby teams - only taking into account players who featured at the respective World Cup tournaments in 1995, 2007 and 2019.
We have also gone with a 6-2 split on the bench in honour of the 'bomb squad' that played such a crucial part in South Africa's run to World Cup glory in Japan.
15. Percy Montgomery (2007 World Cup)
Recalled from international oblivion by Jake White, Montgomery would go onto forming a crucial part of the 2007 World Cup winning team and scored 12 of South Africa's 15 points in the final at Stade de France.
Montgomery converted all four of his attempts at goal and was equally unwavering under the high ball as South Africa edged out England to claim their second title. The left-footed fullback also ended the tournament as the leading points scorer with 105 points in seven appearances and is till today the Springboks all-time leading scorer.
While Andre Joubert and Willie Le Roux were world-class fullbacks in their own right, there is just no topping Montgomery's display.
Who misses out: Andre Joubert and Willie le Roux
14. Cheslin Kolbe (2019 World Cup)
.jpg "Cheslin Kolbe (2019 World Cup)")
The pocket rocket took the 2019 World Cup by storm and capped South Africa's memorable 32-12 win with an outstanding solo finish after weaving his way past Owen Farrell.
Kolbe proved that small guys still have a prominent place on the international stage and was as equally impressive on defence and in the air, as he was with ball in hand on the Springboks way to World Cup glory.
While James Small went toe-to-toe with the most dominant force in World Cup at the time in Jonah Lomu, and JP Pietersen saved the day with a try-saving tackle in the Boks quarter-final win over Fiji 12 years later, Kolbe's overall impact earns him a place in the starting XV.
Who misses out: James Small and JP Pietersen
13. Lukhanyo Am (2019 World Cup)
Another highly competitive position, Am edges out arguably the greatest 13 in Springboks history -- Jaque Fourie -- through his sheer brilliance in the 2019 World Cup tournament.
The Sharks captain was flawless on defence throughout last year's showpiece and while Fourie himself hardly put a foot wrong in 2007, Am's attacking game came to life in the latter stages of the competition and he played a key role in both of South Africa's tries in the final.
His pass for Makazole Mapimpi, which led to the Springboks first try in a World Cup final, will go down as one of the most audacious and spectacular moments in finals history and will forever be etched in the memory of every South African.
Who misses out: Japie Mulder and Jaque Fourie
12. Francois Steyn (2007 & 2019 World Cup)
.jpg "Francois Steyn (2007 & 2019 World Cup)")
One of only two South Africans with two World Cup medals, Steyn won his first World Cup medal at just 19 years of age - becoming the youngest player to do so.
Following injury to Jean de Villiers in the first game of the 2007 tournament, head coach White started with Steyn at inside centre and the teenager would keep that position all they way through to the final where he kicked a long range penalty that put South Africa out of touch in the15-6 win over England.
More of a squad player in 2019, Steyn's experience was key behind the scenes as the Springboks clinched a third title. Steyn also has the most World Cup winning appearances of any South African with 17 and for this he just edges out Damian de Allende who enjoyed an outstanding tournament in Japan.
Who misses out: Hennie le Roux and Damian de Allende
11. Bryan Habana (2007 World Cup)
Arguably the greatest ever Springbok, Habana is South Africa's all-time leading try scorer with a whopping 67 tries in 124 appearances.
He also top scored at the 2007 showpiece in France with eight tries and crossed the whitewash a joint-record 15 times over the course of three World Cup tournaments.
Habana was at the peak of his powers in 2007 and although both Chester Williams and Mapimpi made history in their own right in 1995 and 2019 respectively, it is Habana who makes our list having also been named the World Rugby Player of the Year that year.
Who misses out: Chester Williams and Makazole Mapimpi
10. Joel Stransky (1995 World Cup)
.jpg "Joel Stransky (1995 World Cup)")
Both Butch James and Handre Pollard played a huge role in South Africa's World Cup wins in 2007 and 2019 respectively, but neither of them influenced the final as much as Stransky did.
While James' general kicking game was unmatched in 2007 and Pollard came to the party in the latter stages of the competition 12 years later, Stransky set the tone in South Africa's opening game win over defending champions Australia and played the pivotal role in the Springboks 15-12 victory over favourites New Zealand in 1995.
He scored all 15 of South Africa's points, including two drop goals - the last of which came in extra-time as the Springboks clinched their first World Cup trophy.
Who misses out: Butch James and Handre Pollard (on the bench)
9. Fourie du Preez (2007 World Cup)
Nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award on two occasions between 2006 and 2009, Du Preez was the standout scrum-half of his generation and set the tone for the Springboks World Cup victory with an exceptional all round display in the country's 36-0 win over England in the group stages.
Joost van der Westhuizen is also an all time great in his own right and was key in the Springboks 1995 win while he set the standard with an iconic tackle on Lomu in the 1995 victory over the All Blacks. De Klerk was equally pivotal in Rassie Erasmus' kick heavy approach and of the three, his defensive game reigns supreme.
But Du Preez's all round game is what puts him ahead of Van der Westhuizen and in our starting XV.
Who misses out: Joost van der Westhuizen (on the bench) and Faf de Klerk
8. Duane Vermeulen (2019 World Cup)
The hard-hitting number eight put in a man-of-the-match performance against England in last year's final.
Unmoved on defence, bruising with ball in hand, Vermeulen was a man on a mission as the Springboks outmuscled and out-classed the British in Yokohama. With every restart he was the man to gather and attack the defensive line and with every collision, South Africa moved closer to victory while his two breakdown penalties were key in the final result.
While Danie Rossouw made THAT tackle on Mark Cueto to deny England what looked certain to be a try in the 2007 final, one simply can't look past Vermeulen.
Who misses out: Mark Andrews and Danie Rossouw
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (2019 World Cup)
Another position stacked with talent, both Ruben Kruger and Juan Smith were amongst the best flankers of their generation, but Du Toit is the current World Rugby Player of the Year.
Kruger grafted and went about his way despite little recognition while Smith established himself as not only a force on defence, but also a powerful ball carrier which posed a real threat on offence.
Du Toit is in a similar mould to Smith and also adds another option at line-out, but his superior performances at last year's World Cup is what sets him apart from the 2007 winner.
Who misses out: Ruben Kruger and Juan Smith
6. Siya Kolisi (2019 World Cup)
In no country is the No. 6 jersey as significant as in South Africa.
The image of Nelson Mandela handing Francois Pienaar the World Cup in 1995 while donning the No.6 Springboks jersey will forever be embedded in South African's memory.
But to Pienaar's own admission, Kolisi -- the Springboks first black captain -- lifting the 2019 crown was even more symbolic.
While Schalk Burger is without the doubt the best player of the three, Kolisi gets the nod ahead of both him and Pienaar due to his overall impact on and off the field of play.
Who misses out: Francois Pienaar and Schalk Burger (both on the bench)
5. Victor Matfield (2007 World Cup)
.jpg "Victor Matfield (2007 World Cup)")
South Africa's most capped player with 127 appearances over a 14-year professional career, a two time World Player of the Year nominee, Matfield is the standout lock of his generation having revolutionised the position.
While Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert were outstanding for the Springbok at last year's tournament, with the latter especially impressive from the bench in the final - Matfield is the superior choice.
Matfied disrupted every England line-out in a man-of-the-match performance in the 2007 final and for this alone he is a shoo-in for any World Cup all-time XV.
Who misses out: Hannes Strydom, Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert
4. Bakkies Botha (2007 World Cup)
From Kobus Wiese to Eben Etzebeth, the Springboks No.4 has always been the team's enforcer.
While Wiese held his own and dominated breakdowns and Etzebeth will continue to do so for years to come, no one is synonymous with pure aggression on a rugby field as much as Botha, who struck fear into his opponents for well over a decade.
His partnership with Matfield also can't be ignored with the duo -- who's games couldn't be more different -- having complimented one another superbly.
Who misses out: Kobus Wiese (on the bench) and Eben Etzebeth
3. Frans Malherbe (2019 World Cup)
CJ van der Linde was superb against Andrew Sheridan in the 2007 World Cup final and of the three tighthead props to start in World Cup finals for the Springboks, he was the best with ball in hand.
That said, Balie Swart was a very gifted scrummager as well, but Malherbe gets the nod for his dominant display in the 2019 final which set the platform for South Africa's World Cup win.
Malherbe was immense in the latter stages of the competition and thus -- just slightly -- gets the nod over van der Linde who has to settle for a place on the bench.
Who misses out: Balie Swart and CJ van der Linde (on the bench)
2. John Smit (2007 World Cup)
Arguably South Africa's most talented pool of players, the Springboks have been blessed with world class hookers for the last three decades.
While Chirs Rossouw started the 1995 World Cup as second choice behind James Dalton, he was thrusted into the starting XV following the aforementioned front rowers suspension and performed adequately up until the last whistle in Johannesburg.
Bismarck du Plessis and Malcolm Marx are the ultimate impact players, with the latter especially impressive as an early substitute for Bongi Mbonambi who sustained an injury in the first-half of the final last year.
Mbonambi established himself as the first choice hooker in Japan and while his rise was impressive, he misses out on a place in the starting XV to Smit.
Captain of the 2007 World Cup winning team, Smit led from the front and galvanised the team into one of the best Springbok sides ever, while racking up over 100 appearances. His leadership qualities often overshadowed his pure quality, but Smit should be remembered as more than just a great captain, but an excellent player too.
Who misses out: Bismarck du Plessis, Malcolm Marx, Chris Rossouw and Bongi Mbonambi (on the bench)
1. Os du Randt (1995 and 2007 World Cup)
The first South African to win two World Cup medals, Du Randt won his first as part of the 1995 winning team and his second 12 years later in Paris -- playing the full 80 minutes as a 35-year-old veteran.
He and Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira are both legends of the game and choosing between the two is almost unfair.
Mtawarira is South Africa's most capped prop having made 117 appearances over 11 years and was dominant in the Springboks' demolition job of England last year, but he misses out on a place in the starting XV to a man who defied the odds.
Who misses out: Tendai Mtawarira (on the bench) and Steven Kitshoff
Substitutions:
16. Bongi Mbonambi (2019 World Cup)
If you going for pure impact off the bench, Bismarck du Plessis or Malcolm Marx is your man, but one can't look past Mbonambi's rise to prominence in Japan and for that he makes the bench.
17. Tendai Mtawarira (2019 World Cup)
.jpg "Tendai Mtawarira (2019 World Cup)")
Legend of the game, Mtawarira obliterated opposition scrums for over a decade at international level and will add unrivalled experience as a substitute. Imagine what he will do against a tired pack...
18. CJ van der Linde (2007 World Cup)
Versatile, good with ball in hand and a superb scrummager. Van der Linde will be a valuable asset from the bench.
19. Kobus Wiese (1995 World Cup)
The burly second rower played in a time when there was no lifting at line-out time, but his pure physic and brute strength will be hard to match from the bench - especially as a replacement for the imposing Bakkies Botha.
20. Francois Pienaar (1995 World Cup)
Imagine having the luxury of a World Cup winning captain on your bench? For sentiment and leadership qualities alone, it would be criminal to leave Pienaar out of the squad as a whole.
21. Schalk Burger (2007 World Cup)
The 2004 World Rugby Player of the Year can provide cover at both No.7 and 8, while he could even come on in place of a lock with Du Toit equally comfortable in the second row. His energy and sheer determination off the bench would come as a boost to any team in world rugby. Burger is the South African to have featured in the most World Cup matches, having played in 20 games across four tournaments.
22. Joost van der Westhuizen (1995 World Cup)
One of the world's best ever No.9's, Van der Westhuizen was key to the Springboks 1995 success at Ellis Park and with 38 tries, he is second to only Habana as South Africa's all-time leading try scorer.
23. Handre Pollard (2019 World Cup)
With 22 points in the 2019 final and 162 points across two tournaments, Pollard is already one of the leading scorers in World Cup history. And at just 26 years of age, more is yet to come from the talented flyhalf who can also slot in at inside centre while Steyn could shift to fullback.
Head coach: Rassie Erasmus
No one could've predicted the Springboks' rise to World Cup glory last year, but Erasmus unified the most diverse team in South African rugby history and transformed a side low on confidence into World Cup champions in almost no time at all.
Who misses out: Kitch Christie and Jake White
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