The Top 7 Scrum-Halves of All Time Have Been Ranked

This time, we take a look at the top seven scrum halves to ever wear the nine jersey upon the international men's test level. From the fearless attacking instincts of legendary Welsh greats to the relentless precision of the All Blacks in the nine jersey, the scrum half position has produced some of rugby’s most influential figures.

Modern superstar's emerge from France, to force their way into the conversation, that also features some of the most decorated Springboks and Wallabies to ever wear the green or gold.

Before we get stuck into the seven greatest scrum-halves of all time, we have a run down of a trio of unforgettable scrum halves that just fall outside of the top seven.

One of the most recognisable members of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side, Matt Dawson combined quick service with an aggressive running game and a sharp rugby brain. The Northampton Saints legend won 77 England caps and toured three times with the British & Irish Lions, becoming a key figure during one of the most successful periods in English rugby history.

Will Genia was one of the finest all-round scrum-halves of the professional era. The Wallabies star won 110 Test caps, played at three Rugby World Cups and helped Australia reach the 2015 final. Quick, intelligent and dangerous around the fringes, Genia was capable of controlling a match with his passing and kicking before producing a decisive break himself.

A hugely experienced figure for both the Crusaders and All Blacks, Justin Marshall won 81 Test caps and formed a memorable partnership with Andrew Mehrtens. His physicality, competitiveness and willingness to challenge defenders made him far more than a traditional distributor, while his longevity at the highest level ensured he remained a major figure in New Zealand rugby for more than a decade.

Few scrum-halves have possessed the physical presence of Joost van der Westhuizen. At 6ft 2in, the Springbok was an imposing figure at a position traditionally dominated by smaller players, but his size never came at the expense of speed or skill. Van der Westhuizen was powerful enough to confront forwards around the fringes and quick enough to expose space in the wider channels.

He won 89 Test caps for South Africa and scored 38 tries, a remarkable return for a scrum-half. His defining achievement came at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where he played a central role in the Springboks’ historic triumph on home soil.

Van der Westhuizen also helped South Africa win the 1998 Tri-Nations and became one of the most recognisable players of his generation. Following his career, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, with his incredible courage continuing to inspire the rugby community, as he is missed dearly to this day.

Did You Know? Van der Westhuizen’s 38 Test tries remain one of the highest totals ever recorded by a scrum-half.

Nick Farr-Jones was the calm and calculating leader at the heart of Australia’s first Rugby World Cup triumph.

The Wallabies captain won 63 Test caps between 1984 and 1993, leading Australia during one of the most successful periods in the nation’s rugby history. His tactical intelligence and reliable service allowed Australia’s gifted backline to flourish, while his leadership helped transform the Wallabies into a genuine global force.

Farr-Jones was captain when Australia defeated England 12-6 in the 1991 Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham, becoming the first Wallabies skipper to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. He had already played a major role in Australia’s famous 1984 Grand Slam tour, when the Wallabies defeated England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on the same northern hemisphere campaign.

A composed organiser with an outstanding understanding of the game, Farr-Jones set the standard for the Australian scrum-halves who followed.

Did You Know? Farr-Jones captained Australia in 36 Tests and remains one of only two Wallabies captains to lift the Rugby World Cup alongside John Eales in 1999.

Fourie du Preez was the complete modern scrum-half. The Springbok possessed the passing range, tactical kicking game and defensive awareness expected from an elite No.9, but his ability to read a match often placed him several steps ahead of the opposition.

Du Preez won 76 Test caps and was a crucial part of South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning side. He also helped the Springboks win the Tri-Nations in 2004 and 2009, while his club career with the Bulls included three Super Rugby titles.

His finest international moment arguably arrived during the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. With South Africa trailing Australia, Du Preez produced a remarkable tackle to prevent James O’Connor from scoring, although the Springboks ultimately lost the contest. A master of the box kick and a relentless competitor around the breakdown, Du Preez was the tactical heartbeat of the Springboks for more than a decade.

Did You Know? Du Preez was named South African Rugby Player of the Year two times, in 2006 and 2009.

Longevity, leadership and an extraordinary competitive spirit define George Gregan’s legacy. The Wallabies legend won 139 Test caps, remaining Australia’s most-capped international player and holding the world record for Test appearances for several years.

Gregan made his debut in 1994 and quickly established himself as one of the world’s leading scrum-halves. His famous cover tackle on All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson later that year remains one of the defining moments in Wallabies history.

He helped Australia win the 1999 Rugby World Cup and captained the side to the 2003 final. Gregan also led the Wallabies to a series victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2001 and won two Super Rugby titles with the ACT Brumbies.

A fierce competitor with exceptional leadership qualities, Gregan made the No.9 jersey his own for more than a decade.

Did You Know? Gregan captained Australia in 59 Tests and played at four Rugby World Cups.

Antoine Dupont has redefined what a scrum-half can be. Possessing explosive acceleration, extraordinary strength and the ability to influence every aspect of the game, the French superstar is as dangerous carrying the ball as he is distributing it. His breakdown work and defensive impact have also made him one of rugby’s most complete players.

Dupont captained France to the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam and was named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in 2021. At club level, he has become the driving force behind a dominant Toulouse side, winning multiple Top 14 and Champions Cup titles.

His influence has extended beyond the 15-a-side game. Dupont helped France win Olympic gold in rugby sevens at the Paris 2024 Games, and with that took the 2024 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Award, underlining his extraordinary adaptability. Still with plenty of rugby ahead of him, Dupont has already earned a place among the greatest players the position has ever produced.

Did You Know? Dupont became the first player to win World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Player of the Year award and an Olympic gold medal in rugby sevens.

Aaron Smith was the definition of precision. The All Blacks scrum-half built his reputation on lightning-fast service, outstanding tactical awareness and an ability to deliver the right pass under immense pressure. His speed at the base of the ruck helped define New Zealand’s attacking game throughout one of the most successful periods in the nation’s history.

Smith won 125 Test caps and scored 29 tries for the All Blacks. He played a key role in New Zealand’s 2015 Rugby World Cup triumph and helped the side win multiple Rugby Championship titles. At club level, Smith became a Highlanders legend, helping the franchise secure its first Super Rugby title in 2015.

Smith may not have possessed the physical power of some of the players on this list, but his technical excellence and consistency were almost impossible to match.

Did You Know? Smith scored a hat-trick against Italy at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, becoming one of the few scrum-halves to score three tries in a Test match for New Zealand.

The greatest scrum-half in rugby history. Sir Gareth Edwards was the heartbeat of Wales during the nation’s golden era and remains the benchmark against which every great No.9 is measured. Quick, fearless and endlessly creative, Edwards possessed the complete skill set long before the modern game demanded it.

He won 53 consecutive Test caps for Wales between 1967 and 1978, scoring 20 tries and helping the country win seven Five Nations titles, including three Grand Slams. Edwards was equally influential for the British & Irish Lions. He played in the famous unbeaten tour of South Africa in 1974 and featured in the series victory over New Zealand in 1971, which remains the Lions’ only series win against the All Blacks.

His famous try for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973 is widely regarded as the greatest ever scored.

Did You Know? Edwards never missed a Wales Test during his international career, appearing in 53 consecutive matches and starting every one.