There are a few retired Springbok legends who would get into – and even start – in the current all-conquering national side in their prime.
There is no doubt the current Springbok side is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, sides of all time.
However, despite their mountain of achievements, there are several Springbok legends who would be able to walk into Rassie Erasmus’s current side in their heyday.
Let’s take a look at the Springbok all-time greats who I believe would start if they still played today.
SEVEN BOK LEGENDS WHO WOULD START IN RASSIE’S SIDE
Victor Matfield, Duane Vermuelen, Joost van der Westhuizen/Fourie du Preez (rotated at scrumhalf for the Springboks), Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie and Percy Montgomery would all start in my all-time Springboks dream team.
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MATFIELD LOCKS DOWN HIS LEGACY AS THE GREATEST BOK NO 5 OF ALL TIME
Firstly, Matfield is probably the greatest lineout mind the game has ever seen. It was second nature for him to steal opposition lineouts.
So, it would be a dream to see the two most capped Springboks of all time – Matfield and Eben Etzebeth – locking down at 4 and 5.
We did see Matfield and Etzebeth play together in 2015. However, Etzebeth was nowhere near his peak and Matfield was past his prime.
Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Ruan Nortje have all been stalwarts for the Springboks and will have their place among the greats in the future, but Matfield stands head and shoulders above the rest of the men to wear the No 5 jersey.
THE TEACHER IS THE MASTER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NUMBER 8’S
At No 8, Duane Vermeulen edges out Pierre Spies and Jasper Wiese as the ideal Bok eighthman.
He had a massive engine, with as much power in each carry as he had in every huge hit on defence.
His work ethic was matched by his skill.
Vermeulen was elusive in broken play and as solid as a rock in contact, whether carrying the ball or putting in a dominant tackle for the Springboks.
Furthermore, he was reliable under the high ball and tremendously skilful. Take nothing away from Wiese or Spies, but Vermeulen will go down as one of the best No 8s the Springboks have ever had and that the game of rugby has ever seen.
There is a reason the player-turned-coach has been entrusted by Rassie to mentor the next generation of Springbok No 8s.
SPRINGBOKS SCRUMHALF ROYALTY
At scrumhalf, the Springboks have been blessed with two of the best No 9s ever to play the game in Joost van der Westhuizen and Fourie du Preez.
Van der Westhuizen was years ahead of his time and Du Preez was always several steps ahead of his opponents.
I have bracketed both men because I believe Rassie would rotate them, much like he has done with Cobus Reinach and Grant Williams.
Van der Westhuizen had immense heart. He famously brought down Jonah Lomu in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final when Lomu was running over and through men twice his (Joost’s) size.
Along with his courage came blistering speed and sharp vision. There is a reason Van der Westhuizen remains one of the all-time top try scorers in Springbok history (second most with 38).
He had exceptional pace, skill and heart, and stands ahead of the current crop of scrumhalves.
Meanwhile, Du Preez was in a class of his own. There are not enough words to describe his rugby IQ, his genius and his brilliance for the Springboks.
He personified accuracy and control.
Du Preez’s box-kicking was pinpoint, his passing was razor-sharp, smooth and perfectly timed, and he controlled the game with authority.
He knew exactly when to slow the tempo or increase it, when to kick into space, when to launch a contestable kick or when to take on the line himself.
His decision-making made him one of the greatest tactical minds the game has ever seen.
BRILLIANT BOK BRYAN HABANA WOULD START IN ANY TEAM IN ANY ERA
Bryan Habana would walk into any side in any era in any side in the world.
The interception king dominated in every department. He had pace, finishing ability, footwork, individual brilliance and defensive steel. There was nothing he could not do. Habana scored 67 tries in 124 Test matches for the Springboks.
Think the speed of Cheslin Kolbe combined with the power of Damian de Allende.
Just imagine a side with Habana and Kolbe on the wings. He was good enough to make any winger switch sides.
THE COMPLETE NUMBER 13 – JAQUE FOURIE
Jaque Fourie would edge out Jesse Kriel and Lukhanyo Am for the No 13 jersey in his prime.
He was the complete outside centre, as fast as Kriel and as skilful as Am, with immense power to match.
Fourie was dynamic and decisive.
Furthermore, he ran superb lines and read the game brilliantly on defence. A game-breaker and a master defender, Fourie was simply outstanding.
FIRST BOK CENTURIAN MAKES THE CUT
Percy Montgomery was the first-ever Springboks centurion.
He played 102 Test matches en route to amassing a record 893 points in the green and gold.
His elite goal-kicking and his drop-kicking ability place him ahead of another Springbok centurion – Willie le Roux – for me.
IS THE CURRENT SPRINGBOK TEAM THE BEST TEAM OF ALL TIME?
In fact, many pundits and former players alike have put forward the current Springbok side as one of the best rugby teams in history, placing them alongside the legendary and iconic 2015 All Blacks side.
This comes as no surprise given that the Springboks are back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions, current holders of the Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup, Nelson Mandela Plate and the British and Irish Lions series.
They also comfortably occupy top spot in the latest World Rugby rankings.
Their dominance is further reflected in the fact that the last two World Rugby Player of the Year awards went to Malcolm Marx in 2025 and Pieter-Steph du Toit in 2024.
MY ALL-TIME GREAT SPRINGBOKS STARTING XV
- Ox Nche
- Malcolm Marx
- Frans Malherbe
- Eben Etzebeth
- Victor Matfield
- Siya Kolisi (captain)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Duane Vermeulen
- Fourie du Preez/Joost van der Westhuizen
- Handre Pollard
- Bryan Habana
- Damien de Allende
- Jaque Fourie
- Cheslin Kolbe
- Percy Montgomery
Who makes YOUR all-time Springbok starting XV?
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