There have been a number of generational abilities who’ve slotted in at flyhalf for the Springboks through the years, and it’s an extremely difficult job attempting to rank the perfect of the perfect.
However, right here is our rating for the highest three No 10s, having thought of Springboks from each enjoying period.
TOP THREE SPRINGBOK FLYHALVES OF ALL TIME
1 ) Naas Botha
There may be fairly actually just one Naas Botha. The celebrity flyhalf was an icon of the sport all through the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties, however even younger generations of Springbok supporters will undoubtedly know his identify.
Botha stays a family identify as a result of his legacy transcended the sport, along with his lethal correct kicking recreation standing in a category of its personal.
He was was greater than only a points-scoring machine, although. His tactical understanding of the sport and playmaking talents additionally stay the stuff of rugby folklore.
South Africa’s sporting isolation denied him the chance to additional cement a Take a look at legacy that solely included 28 video games, however there isn’t a denying that Botha is without doubt one of the biggest ever Springboks, not to mention flyhalves.
2) Handre Pollard
From one technology to a different. Maybe it’s too quickly to incorporate Pollard at No 2 on the age of 31, however he has already performed 80 Assessments, and began extra video games at No 10 than some other Springbok flyhalf.
His common play and goal-kicking was important to the crew’s success on the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, in addition to in opposition to the British & Irish Lions in 2021. Throw in a few Rugby Championship titles and a factors tally of 772 (second solely to Percy Montgomery on the all-time checklist), and it’s clear to see that Pollard is already an all-time nice.
Pollard burst onto the Springbok scene as a 20-year-old youth prodigy, and when he ultimately hangs up his boots, it’s horrifying to contemplate what his numbers and achievements may appear like then.
3 Henry Honiball
In fact there is likely to be requires amateur-era celebrity Hansie Brewis or 1995 World Cup hero Joel Stransky, however Honiball was only a one-of-a-kind expertise.
Together with his towering bodily presence, Honiball earned the nickname ‘Lem’, which is Afrikaans for ‘blade’, because of his capacity to chop by way of opponent’s defences.
At nationwide degree, his on-field prowess earned him 35 caps for the Springboks between 1993 and 1999, however there isn’t a doubt that he boasted the expertise to have performed many extra video games at worldwide degree.
Broadly considered one of the vital naturally gifted gamers of his technology, the profession of Honiball was maybe finest summed up by the late nice coach Ian McIntosh.
“He was all the time the right sportsman, each in victory and defeat. When it comes to enjoying capacity, there’s not way more to be stated, aside from that as a flyhalf he was underrated by all previously. Henry was ideally suited to the fashionable recreation.”
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