The French Top 14 is available on ESPN Africa, providing fans with access to some of the most renowned international players, along with several hidden talents from both South Africa and their competitors.
Antoine Dupont, the most prominent figure in the league, has returned after an extended injury absence, while Jiuta Wainiqolo has been captivating audiences this season.
South African supporters can follow some of their favorite athletes, including Dillyn Leyds and Rohan Janse van Rensburg. With the final scheduled for late June, fans have several months of Top 14 rugby to look forward to.
Antoine Dupont, Toulouse
Regarded by many as the finest rugby player in the world, Dupont has secured five Top 14 titles and two Champions Cups during his illustrious career with Stade Toulousain. Fresh from a Six Nations victory with France, he has the chance to add more trophies at the club level, as Toulouse is currently leading the standings.
View this post on Instagram
Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Bordeaux Bègles
At just 22 years old, Bielle-Biarrey has already achieved an impressive tally of 29 tries in 27 appearances for France. He netted nine tries during the Six Nations, setting a new tournament record and becoming France’s all-time leading try scorer in Six Nations history.
The winger/fullback is poised to break even more records, and it would not be surprising if he became France’s all-time top try scorer in all international matches by the conclusion of the World Cup cycle.
It is no surprise that former England star Ugo Monye remarked on BBC Rugby Union Weekly that Bielle-Biarrey is the “Erling Haaland of the rugby world”.
Dillyn Leyds, La Rochelle
The veteran from La Rochelle is versatile, capable of playing as a winger, fullback, or fly-half. After making a name for himself in high school at Bishops, Leyds became a key player for Western Province following a successful period with UCT Ikey Tigers.
He had a brief spell in Australia in 2014, but has more recently established himself as a respected player in the Northern Hemisphere since joining La Rochelle in 2020.
Jiuta Wainiqolo, LOU
The leading try scorer in the league this season, Wainiqolo has accumulated 15 tries so far in the 2025-26 season for Lyon Olympique Universitaire. This places the 27-year-old Fijian winger five tries ahead of his nearest competitors at the time of this writing.
Cyril Baille, Toulouse
Toulouse boasts not only arguably the best player and scrumhalf in World Rugby but also one of its top props. Baille has claimed three Six Nations titles with France and has been with Toulouse since 2012. The 32-year-old continues to enjoy success, playing in a position that typically allows for greater longevity than many others.
Jack Willis, Toulouse
Willis, Dupont’s teammate at Toulouse, has taken over as the reigning Top 14 Player of the Year. This marks a remarkable comeback for the English flanker, who has 14 caps for his national team but has seen his international career paused following his transfer to France from Wasps after their administration.
View this post on Instagram
Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Bordeaux Bègles
Janse van Rensburg’s contributions at centre are legendary in South African rugby, particularly his collaboration with Lionel Mapoe during the Lions’ golden Super Rugby era a decade ago. Now with Bordeaux BΓ¨gles, the 2024-25 Champions Cup winner continues to earn accolades.
Harry Plummer, Clermont Auvergne
The New Zealand flyhalf for Clermont Auvergne is currently tied for the top points scorer in the Top 14 this season. His exceptional work ethic makes him a valuable player, capable of making quick decisions and scoring tries and drop goals.
Romain Ntamack, Toulouse
Ntamack missed France’s victorious Six Nations campaign due to a hamstring injury and kidney issues. Now back in action for Toulouse, he aims to demonstrate that he remains France’s premier no.10, or at the very least, among the top contenders. The World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2019 has always faced high expectations, and there would be no better way to address his critics than by securing additional silverware.
Matthieu Jalibert, Bordeaux Bègles
Jalibert played at fly-half during the Six Nations and, in a fitting turn of events, recently excelled in a 44-20 victory against Toulouse, the very match that marked Ntamack’s return from injury. At 27, Jalibert and 26-year-old Ntamack are likely to continue their competition for the starting position for France well into the future.
Watch Top 14 rugby on ESPN’s channels in Africa (DStv 218 and 219) and on Disney+ in South Africa.
