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Three Springboks in IRB Hall of Fame

Brad Morgan

29 October 2009

Three Springbok greats – Frik du Preez, Bennie Osler and Barry Heatlie – were inducted into the International Rugby Board's Hall of Fame at Rugby School in England on Tuesday. They join Danie Craven, who entered the Hall in 2007.

Frik du Preez

Du Preez was named South Africa's Player of the Twentieth Century after a career that began in January 1961, when he made his debut against England, and ended in August 1971, when he played his final test against the Wallabies.

Craven, for many years the man in charge of South African rugby, said of Du Preez: "[T]hroughout the history of Springbok rugby there have been great players and great personalities ... Among these greats is Frik du Preez.

"As long as rugby is played in our country, people who know Frik or knew him, or people who heard of him or read about him, will have a connection with him, and that will enrich our rugby just as Frik did on the playing fields."

Bennie Osler

Bennie Osler, whose international career began in 1924 against the British Isles, was the captain of the Springboks when they toured Great Britain and Ireland in 1931-32. It was an extremely successful tour, with Osler playing a pivotal role in South Africa's success.

The Boks played 26 matches, won 23 of them, lost only one, and drew two others. They beat Wales 8-3, Ireland 8-3, England 7-0, and Scotland 6-3 to secure the Grand Slam of victories over all four home unions.

Osler was recognised as a brilliant tactical kicker, and was also feared for his mastery of drop goals; at that time, believe it or not, a drop goal was worth four points and a try worth three points!

Barry Heatlie

Barry Heatlie was South Africa's fifth rugby captain. He is credited with being the inspiration behind the Springboks wearing green jerseys, which they first did in the final test of the 1903 series against the British Lions.

Three Irishmen joined Du Preez, Osler, and Heatlie in the Hall of Fame on Tuesday: Sir Anthony O'Reilly, Willie John McBride, and Doctor Syd Millar. All three have strong ties to South Africa through the British and Irish Lions.

Welsh flyhalf Cliff Morgan, who toured South Africa with the 1955 Lions, was also inducted, as was William "Bill" Maclagan, the captain of the first British Isles team to tour South Africa in 1891.

Ian McGeechan, a top player for Scotland, and also a very successful coach of the Lions, who was in charge during their tour of South Africa earlier this year, completed the latest list of inductees.

The IRB Hall of Fame

The IRB Hall of Fame was first opened in 2006 when Rugby School and William Webb Ellis, the man credited with inventing the game, were the inductees.

The following year, Craven was inducted, along with the founder of the modern Olympic Games Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who was a staunch supporter of rugby, two-time Rugby World Cup winner Australia's John Eales, Welsh scrumhalf Gareth Edwards, and former All Black captain Wilson Whineray.

In 2008, coach and captain of the 1888 Natives Team from New Zealand, Joseph Astbury Warbick, entered the Hall of Fame with his side. They undertook the longest and most gruelling tour in history, playing 107 matches in New Zealand, Australia and the British Isles, winning 78 games, losing 23, and drawing six. They were the first New Zealand team to wear the silver fern.

Ned Haig and the Melrose Rugby Football Club, where Sevens rugby originated, also entered the Hall in 2008.

They were joined by Doctor Jack Kyle, regarded as Ireland's greatest player ever, and French backline star Phillipe Sella, who played in 111 tests.

Argentina's brilliant flyhalf, Hugo Porta, was also inducted in 2008. Because of his excellence on the rugby field, he was appointed as Argentina's ambassador to South Africa in 1991. In 1994 he became Argentina's minister for sport.