2023 Dream Team: Eben Etzebeth the Only World Champion Named on Official List

• Eben Etzebeth was South Africa's only representative in World Rugby's Men's 15s Team of the Year
• The bulk of the team comes from two European nations who have not yet lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy
• South Africa won their fourth Rugby World Cup when they defeated New Zealand in Paris by a point

As the champagne dried on French streets, World Rugby held their year-ending awards.

Among those acknowledged, the governing body announced the team of the year, with the 15 players coming from only four nations.

The Springboks were crowned World Champions for the fourth time, but their only representative was lock colossus, Eben Etzebeth.

The other 14 places went to five Irishmen, Five Frenchmen, and four Kiwis.

A kneejerk reaction would be to assume the Springboks would be well-represented, but selection was based not just on the last two months in France, but 2023 as a whole.

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Four of five Irish players play for Leinster, who lost in the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship and the final of the European Cup.

Along with Connacht's Bundee Aki, none of the five had any domestic success. Their selection was based on Ireland's Six Nations Grand Slam and their 17-game winning streak, which was ended by New Zealand.

Of the French representatives, few can argue with Cyril Baille, who was immense at the World Cup and won the Top14 with Toulouse. World Rugby poster-boy, Antoine Dupont was always a shoo-in at scrumhalf but some will debate Charles Ollivon's inclusion.

Pieter-Steph du Toit was superhuman in the final and deserved selection on that man-of-the-match performance alone.

Ardie Savea was named World Player of the Year so he was an inevitable choice, as was Super Rugby and truncated Rugby Championship winner, Richie Mo'unga at flyhalf.

His Crusaders teammate, Will Jordan equalled Bryan Habana and Jonah Lomu's eight-try record, so unquestionably had a year to remember.

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The Dream Team made little difference to Springbok fans, who pointed out what mattered to them.

Springboks victory tour announced

Sports Brief recently reported on the nationwide victory parade that the Springboks will embark on.

SA Rugby issued the statement on Sunday for frenetic South African fans eager to meet their heroes.

The Springboks will start their victory tour in Gauteng on Thursday before gracing the coastal cities.