Naas Botha

Naas Botha, one of the great South African rugby figures for almost 20 years, was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2005, 10 years after his last match. He was known for 3 781 points in a career of 277 first-class matches and was excellent at drop-goals. Naas scored 20 points in 1981 when South Africa beat New Zealand 24-12 in Wellington.

Doc Craven

Daniël Hartman Craven was a scholar before he became the greatest South African rugby player ever. He earned doctorates in social anthropology, psychology and physical education and became a lecturer at Stellenbosch university. He played as a scrum-half for South Africa from 1931 to 1938. He was the captain for the four Test series against the Lions. Craven received much criticism for trying to integrate the game. He did, however, play an important role in the creation of the unified SARFU in 1991. His name was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1997.

Hennie Muller

Hennie Muller introduced a new style of play for a number 8 forward in the immediate post-war years. The clue comes in his nickname, ‘Windhond’ or greyhound. He was arguably the fastest back row forward, especially back in 1949. He used his speed well and became a legend back then. He was excellent and intelligent and he could kick with either foot. He was the South African rugby captain in 9 tests from 1949 to 1953.

He was one of the 2001 inductees into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.

Morné du Plessis

Morné and his father, Felix du Plessis, made history in 1971: they became the first father and son who had both captained their country’s rugby team. Morné led his side to a 3-1 series win over the All Blacks in 1976 and also defeated the Lions in 1980. He made his last appearance against France in the November of that year. He led his country in 22 matches from 1971 to 1980 and is a member of the World Sports Academy.

Mornés induction into the International Rugby Hall of Fame was in 1999.

Frik du Preez

Frederik Christoffel Hendrik du Preez was born in the Rustenburg District of the Western Transvaal. He was a versatile player. He was the captain of the South African team from 1961 to 1971, played in 87 matches and scored 87 points.

He only scored one international try: it was during the 1968 Lions against people such as Gareth Edwards.

Francois Pienaar

Many of us remember that moment when state president Nelson Mandela handed the Rugby World Cup to Francois Pienaar in 1995. What a triumph. Pienaar was a world-class flanker, a great captain, but also an ambassador for the sport. He was appointed captain of the Springboks in the same year as when he made his international debut against France. He was the face of Springbok rugby to the world and captained South Africa in 29 international matches.
He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2005, together with Naas Botha and Andre Boniface among others.

Joost vd Westhuizen

Joost got 89 caps for the Springboks, scored 38 tries and got 6 nominations as one of the Top 5 SA Players of the Year 6 times
He redefined the scrum-half’s role with his powerful bursts from both set-pieces and loose play. He scored 56 tries in 111 games for the Springboks and 38 touchdowns in 89 appearances. This also includes a hat-trick against Scotland at Murrayfield. He gained a Rugby World Cup winners’ medal in 1995 and played in the 1999 and 2003 tournaments.

Danie Gerber

Danie Gerber quickly established himself as a world-class centre after South Africa’s return to the international stage in the 1980s. His 19 tries in only 24 tests, plus a further nine in tour matches for the Springboks, reflects his attacking ability. He was also a big hit with the Barbarians for whom he scored four tries against Cardiff and another two against Scotland on tour in 1984. He was captain of the South African team from 1980 to 1992.