The 5 Great Springboks …chosen by NZ

In a striking pre-game show of respect, a New Zealand rugby program has placed five Springboks legends at the forefront of discussion ahead of a titanic clash with the All Blacks at Eden Park. Former All Blacks stars James Wilson, Mils Muliaina, Stephen Donald, and Justin Marshall paid tribute to these iconic South African players, stirring anticipation for the upcoming match.

Victor Matfield led their honorary list, followed closely by the revered Joost van der Westhuizen. Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana, and Os du Randt also made the cut, showcasing the depth and impact of South African rugby talent over the years. James Wilson humorously noted the absence of current players from their list, saying, "We just didn’t want to give them too much confidence going into the weekend."However, he acknowledged current stars like Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe as part of the ongoing narrative of excellence.

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Victor led this list. I agree with everyone of these choices, although I would have chosen the Beast over Os,

Matfield is the only worthy selection. He's the only Springbok I can think of who would make a post professional combined AB/Bok side and he's also the only one of the names mentioned who hasn't been on the roids.

Which of your halves would top Joost?

Aaron Smith is the greatest scrumhalf of the modern era and a much more rounded scrumhalf than Joost.

Oh and Justin Marshall owned Joost in the 1996 series.

Fuck off Ka Mate I would not select a single Kiwi forward over a Bok post isolation

Only Kiwi’s Id consider would be Carter at 10, Cullen at 15 and Lomu on the wing - but would that be ahead of Habana and Kolbe, for instance?

Yeah well, we all know what yiur opinion is worth, Fatso.

Well if you think Smith is better than Joost you should fuck off and go watch darts or something. Fuck me there is rugby ignorance and then you get calls like that.

Fucking idiot

Fourie du Preez was better than Smith

If we're talking only the modern era (excluding scrumhalf legends like Sid Going, Gareth Edwards, Chris Laidlaw, Danny Craven and Jacques Foroux) then it's a straight race between Aaron Smith, George Gregan and Antoine Dupont. Aaron Smith takes it in my opinion.

Joost van de Westhuzen, Justin Marshll, Nick Farr-Jones, Agustine Pichot and Conor Murray are fighting it out for best of the rest.

Fourie de Preez would be lucky to make the top 10.

Wow rugby ignorance of the highest level - insulting actually

The Kiwis produced some legends over the years, but the boks of the 80s were light years ahead of the kiwis. Ray Mort, Karel Du Plesis, Naas Botha (still out greatest 10 ever, Danie Gerber, that guy would today be the best centre in the modern era.

However, boks struggled in the 90s and the naughties, had a purple patch between 2007 and 2010. The only difference is that the Kiwis were way more organised at an administrative level where South Africa were still struggling with provincialism.

How many coaches did we have in that period. Mallet and White being the only leading lights.

We had politics and forced selections. Where as the kiwis had their house in order.

So the likes of Marshal were able to shine.

Now I think SA is leading a bit or did.

However, that team from 2011 until 2015 was unstoppable, but started to fade until 2019.

Since the Kiwis had lost their aura, but still not to be under estimated.

I think Marshall to me was a better player and very smart. Joost was pure instinct but no brains and he made errors

However, I do believe with a better administration environment it would have been a different story