The SARugby.com World XV 2009 Monday, December 07, 2009 (08:26:21) The Barbarians' win over the All Blacks at Twickenham this weekend brings down the curtain on Test rugby for 2009. The SARugby.com team looked back on an exciting season and picked our World Test XV for 2009.  Let's have a look who we thought were the hottest players in '09! 15.  Rob Kearney (Ireland) The big, hard and fast Irish fullback was outstanding during the Six Nations, British & Irish Lions tour and the Autumn internationals where he looked composed and dangerous from the back.  Selected ahead of: Frans Steyn, Maxine Medard and Mils Muliaina. 14.  Tommy Bowe (Ireland) Another Ireland player who did his reputation the world of good in their Grand Slam season and with his play in South Africa for the Lions.  Quick, elusive and with the ability to read the game brilliantly he can be a devastating runner at times. Selected ahead of:  Cedric Heymans, JP Pietersen, Cory Jane and Ugo Monye 13.  Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) O'Driscoll's selection at outside centre makes it three in a row for Ireland, but you can't deny that he was the outstanding outside centre this season.  Selected ahead of:  Jaque Fourie and Conrad Smith 12.  Jamie Roberts (Wales) Roberts terrorised South African defences on the Lions tour and, despite the latter part of his season being affected by injury, showed the world just what he can do with his powerful running from inside centre. Selected ahead of:   Jean de Villiers and Ma'a Nonu 11.  Bryan Habana (South Africa) The Springbok winger bounced back from a under-par 2008 by his standards with a barnstorming season in 2009.  He might not have scored as many tries as he would have liked, but his work chasing kicks, tackling and rucking - as well as on attack - contributed to the great success of the Springboks this season. Selected ahead of:  Sitiveni Sivivatu 10.  Morne Steyn (South Africa) A remarkable debut season for the Bulls pivot sees him narrowly edge out Dan Carter as the best flyhalf of 2009.  Steyn's performances - especially with the boot - were crucial in the British and Irish Lions series win and the Boks' successful Tri-Nations campaign.  Faltered somewhat in Europe on the end of year tour, but still had a good enough season to see him selected. Selected ahead of:  Dan Carter 9.  Fourie du Preez (South Africa) Du Preez was unlucky to lose out to Richie McCaw for the IRB Player of the Year award with many pundits feeling he was the stand out Test player this season.  A complete and accomplished player who hardly put a foot wrong in 2009. Selected ahead of:  Will Genia and Mike Phillips 8.  Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) The hard-nosed Ireland number eight just pips Pierre Spies, Sergio Parisse and Kieran Read for the number eight jersey.   Heaslip was immense during the Six Nations and carried his form throughout the season. Selected ahead of:  Pierre Spies, Sergio Parisse and Kieran Read 7.  Richie McCaw (New Zealand) The surprise selection for the IRB Player of the Year - McCaw was at his consistent best throughout the season.  We've selected him on the blindside in our team of the year with no other blindside flank staking a real claim to the crown. Selected ahead of:  Rocky Elsom, Thierry Dusatoir 6.  Heinrich Brussow (South Africa) The South African bulldog had a watershed season in 2009.  A constant menace at the breakdown with his ability to turnover ball, Brussow also looked comfortable with ball in hand as he used his pace to support runners and link up play.  Selected ahead of:  David Pocock, Lewis Moody 5.  Victor Matfield  (South Africa) Matfield ran the Springbok line-out with aplomb in 2009.  A banker on his own ball and a thorn in opposing jumpers' sides.   Matfield ruled the air again this season and set a secure platform for the Springbok backline. Selected ahead of:  Paul O'Connell 4.  James Horwill  (Australia) Some might see Horwill's selection as a bit of a surprise, but anyone who watched how he added beef and grunt to the Wallaby pack will understand why he gets a place in the side.  Continues to improve and is now one of the finest second row forwards playing the game. Selected ahead of:  Bakkies Botha 3.  Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy) Destroyed the Springboks on two occasions in November and also monstered the All Black front row.  'Castro' stormed his way into the team with his scrummaging and contributions around the park. Selected ahead of:  John Smit, and Ben Alexander 2.  Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa) The Springbok hooker exposed the lack of a genuine number two in the British and Irish Lions squad and played like an extra loose-forward all season.  His lineout throwing was also close to flawless.  Selected ahead of:  Andrew Hore (New Zealand), Jerry Flannery (Ireland) 1.  Benn Robinson (Australia) The first time in years that a Wallaby prop is considered the best in the world.  Robinson has turned the Australian scrum from a weakness into a strength this year and also puts in a tidy shift around the park. Selected ahead of:  Fabien Barcella, Tendai Mtawarira and Tony Woodcock Content received from: SARugby.com, http://www.sarugby.com/news