New Zealand Show Ranks Top 5 Springboks Legends, Late Joost van der Westhuizen Honoured
- A New Zealand show has ranked the top five Springboks legends, highlighting players who left a lasting mark on the game
- The late Joost van der Westhuizen received special mention, with former All Blacks recalling his skill, leadership, and influence
- The Springboks are preparing for their second clash with the All Blacks, aiming to bounce back after last week’s 17-24 defeat
The Springboks are in New Zealand to face the All Blacks and have already played the first of two matches, which ended in a 17-24 defeat last Saturday, 6 September 2025, at Eden Park.
The second-round match will take place this coming Saturday, 13 September, in Wellington. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a revamped squad to push for revenge in the crucial encounter.
Source: Getty Images
Ahead of the do-or-die clash, a New Zealand show has ranked the top five Springboks legends. Former All Blacks James Wilson, Mils Muliaina, Stephen Donald, and Justin Marshall spoke on the Breakdown show on 9 September, celebrating some of the Springboks legends who have made a lasting mark on the game.
Without specifying a definitive number one, the show highlighted lock Victor Matfield, the late Joost van der Westhuizen, former flanker Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana, and prop Os du Randt.
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Why no current Springboks players on the list?
Wilson joked that current players were not included to avoid giving them too much confidence going into the weekend. He added that Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe were certainly part of the conversation and praised some of the older players, describing Bryan Habana as “just a try-scoring machine.”
Commenting on the Springboks’ all-time leading try scorer, Muliaina said the players were influential both on and off the field through their leadership, adding that Habana “was just a lot of gas.”
Source: UGC
Marshall speaks about the late Van der Westhuizen
Turning to Marshall, Wilson spoke about the late Van der Westhuizen, calling him “one of our greatest rivals” and noting that “he was quite the competitor.”
Marshall added that Van der Westhuizen was a proud South African and Springbok and reflected on the challenge of playing against him, saying that at times he wasn’t just facing the best scrum-half, but possibly the best rugby player in the world.
Watch the video of Westhuizen below:
He added that Van der Westhuizen had a unique ability to influence games and those around him through his play.
Wilson also reflected on the rarity of players like Richie McCaw, saying he felt very lucky to have played against Joost and that he would never be forgotten for the way he played and what he contributed to the game.
Take a look at the beautiful tribute below:
Rassie Erasmus admits heart-racing stress during All Blacks clash
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus was not just on the edge of his seat during the clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday, 6 September 2025, he had his heart in his hands.
In a tense, physically taxing encounter, the match became an emotional rollercoaster for South African fans and an even more stressful ordeal for Erasmus.
Source: Briefly News
