The list compiled by the Telegraph ranks the best 30 players who are currently attached to a domestic team in Britain with several South African players cracking the nod.
Glasgow Warriors’ success in the United Rugby Championship has also been rewarded in the annual list with seven of Franco Smith’s stars making the cut as well as three players from Scottish rivals Edinburgh.
Springboks stars in the top 10
While Pollard and Du Toit only miss out on the top spot to Sione Tuipulotu, there are several other South Africans who have made the cut.
Ulster-bound Northampton Saints star Juarno Augustus is one of them as he is ranked 26th overall while South African-born Scotland internationals Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman rank 15th and 14th respectively.
Bristol Bears star Benhard Janse van Rensburg just makes the top 5 having impressed at the Premiership club since making the move from London Irish. The midfielder has been a key cog on Pat Lam’s machine and could make the step up to international rugby when he qualifies on residency grounds.
“The man is a serial winner with an ice-cool mentality on the biggest occasions,” Telegraph writer Charlie Morgan wrote of third-placed Pollard.
“His distribution, in the shape of cross-kicks and slung passes, should not be underestimated either.”
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