Who could be regarded as the three greatest Springboks from the modern era? In this opinion piece, we make our picks.
Over the last three decades, the Springboks have established themselves as one of the greatest rugby nations of all time, having already becoming the first team to win four World Cup titles.
There have been a litany of world-class players who have made an impact during this time, but who could be regarded as the best of the best?
Here, we cast our opinion.
THREE GREATEST SPRINGBOKS OF THE MODERN ERA
Eben Etzebeth
It’s quite incredible that perhaps the greatest player of all time hasn’t even finished his career.
Etzebeth has already enjoyed a remarkable career when it comes to maintaining consistent fitness and form, and last year he already surpassed Victor Matfield to become the most-capped Springbok of all time.
The powerful lock has already won two World Cups and a British & Irish Lions series, and considering he is still only 33-years-old, there is no doubt that he could play through to the next global showpiece and finish his career with over 150 Test caps.
He is surely, already, the greatest Springbok of the modern era.
Bryan Habana
Similarly to Etzebeth, Habana was a generational talent. During an illustrious career that spanned over a decade at the international level, he donned the Springbok jersey a staggering 124 times.
Besides setting a try-scoring record in the Springboks’ successful World Cup campaign in 2007, he still sits comfortably at the top of the all-time list for South African players with most tries (67). Next best is Joost van der Westhuizen with 38.
The three-time SA Rugby Player of the Year, and 2007 World Rugby Player of the Year, is undoubtedly one of the greatest Springboks of all time.
Victor Matfield
Another one-of-a-kind player, who enjoyed a prolific 127-cap career built on the pillars of supreme leadership, lineout prowess, and tactical nous.
To document all his achievements would be an almost impossible task, but just some of these records below provide a brief summary of a remarkable career.
- Captained the Springboks in 20 Tests
- SA Player of the Year nominee, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009
- SuperSport Try of the Year, 2004 (vs Australia in Durban)
- Currie Cup winner with the Blue Bulls, 2002, 2004 and 2009
- Tri-Nations winner, 2004 and 2009
- World Player of the Year nominee, 2004 and 2009
- Super 14 winner with the Blue Bulls, 2007 and 2009
- Member of the World Cup-winning Springbok squad, 2007
- British & Irish Lions series winner, 2009
- Most capped lock in Springbok history
- Most capped Springbok in history
- Holds world record with Bakkies Botha for most Tests as a lock combination in the starting line-up
There is little to choose between Matfield, Habana and Etzebeth in these rankings, but these are undoubtedly top-tier talents from the modern era.
