When looking back at Springbok history, there have been some sensational wingers that have donned the green and gold, many of whom wore the No 11 jersey.
There are simply too many players to pick from, ranging from Syd Nomis to Pieter Rossouw to Chester Williams to Pieter Hendriks to Makazole Mapimpi, to name just some of the stars who have actually missed out on a top three ranking.
So, who has cracked the nod instead? This is our painstaking ranking below.
TOP THREE SPRINGBOK LEFT WINGS OF ALL TIME
1) Bryan Habana
Springbok rugby royalty. That’s perhaps the best way to describe Habana, who donned the Springbok jersey a staggering 124 times on the way to establishing himself as one of the most iconic wingers of all time.
Habana was a key figure in South Africa’s 2007 World Cup triumph, earning himself the IRB Player of the Year title at a time when he was at the peak of his powers.
The speedster would become a mainstay for the Springboks over the next decade, with his stunning try in the second Test against the British & Irish Lions serving as another flagship highlight in an unforgettable career.
Habana eventually wrapped up his international career at the end of 2016, having left an indelible mark on Springbok rugby.
2) Carel du Plessis
If Habana is rugby royalty, it’s worth remembering that Du Plessis deservedly earned himself the nickname of the ‘prince of wings’.
Although he only played in 12 Tests, and had a career curtailed by the sports boycotts imposed on South Africa, there can be no denying what an impact he still had on the game.
A supreme athlete with magic feet, he was a revolutionary player who scored some of the greatest tries in Springbok history.
His legacy remains the stuff of legend, and there is no doubt that he deserves a place in the top three of Springbok left wings.
3 Gerrie Germishuys
The elusive winger was renowned for his long strides and high knees when on the run, and which saw Germishuys rack up 12 tries from an unforgettable 20-Test cap career.
The legendary Danie Craven aptly offered up the following description when describing the impact of the left wing: “The tries he scored for South Africa, especially the one in that second test against New Zealand in 1981, showed that not only was he an excellent wing, but one who could compare favourably with any of the players South Africa has produced in this position.”
Germishuys was another incredibly gifted natural athlete who was an absolute nightmare for opponents to face due to his incredible speed coupled with an ability to swerve seamlessly around the outside of would-be defenders.
Simply a special, special player.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS RANKINGS?
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