Ranked: Three greatest Springbok fullbacks of all time

03/24/2025 07:25 AM

The fullback position is one area where the Springboks have been extremely fortunate to generally have one world-class player follow another, and here we rank the three standouts to have worn the No 15 jersey over the last few decades.

TOP THREE SPRINGBOK FULLBACKS OF ALL TIME

1 Percy Montgomery

The prolific place-kicker is still the leading Springbok points scorer of all time, with a tally of 893 from 102 Tests during an extraordinary career.

Montgomery had impressively amassed 50 caps by the end of 2001, having quickly established himself as the Springboks’ first-choice fullback after debuting at the age of 23.

After opting to make the move to Wales, he then became unavailable to the Springboks due to an overseas-based selection policy, but after that was changed, he immediately earned a recall by new coach Jake White in 2004.

Montgomery again became the team’s points-scoring machine as he helped guide the side to the 2004 Tri-Nations crown, and most memorably to the 2007 World Cup title. He finished as the tournament's top points scorer with 105, slotting four out of four penalties in the final in another incredible display of dead-eye goal kicking with his traditional short run up.

The fullback would only play for the Springboks for one more year, but what a legacy he left behind.

2 Andre Joubert

Although it’s always tricky to compare players from different generations, there is good reason that Joubert was known as the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of Springbok rugby.

A player with effortless class and natural talent, his career was unfortunately initially disrupted by South Africa’s exclusion from international rugby after debuting for the Springboks in 1989.

He went on to amass 34 caps, the highlight of which was undoubtedly his incredible impact in the 1995 Rugby World Cup as he play a pivotal role in South Africa's historic victory. Famously, Joubert's determination even saw him take to the field with a broken hand in the final against New Zealand.

After earning a nomination for the SA Rugby Player of the Year on four previous occasions, he then deservedly received the award in 1996, but he would feature in just one more international season.

His final game in the green and gold coming after the 61-22 thrashing of Australia at Loftus Versfeld on August 23, 1997, ending an incredible career on a resounding high note.

3 Willie le Roux

The 35-year-old will finish his Test career as the most-capped Springbok fullback of all time, and although he has endured a love-hate relationship with supporters at times, that milestone can never be overlooked.

Le Roux is set to surpass 100 Test caps this year, and he’s enjoyed some incredible highlights along the way, which has included two World Cup titles and a key role in the 2021 British & Irish Lions series.

In his stunning breakthrough year in 2014, he was one of the nominees for the World Rugby Player of the Year award, and he has been a virtually permanent presence in the Springbok team ever since.

Le Roux was a prolific try-scorer during the early periods of his career, but he has since become known as the ‘assist king’, with his vision and ability to read the game having reached legendary status.

There is no doubt that Le Roux is fully deserving of his place on the podium when it comes ranking the greatest Springbok fullbacks of all time.

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