Springbok giants: The tallest South African Test players

03/05/2024 18:10

The tallest players to pull on the green and gold of the Springboks have all played in either the current era or very recently.

The tallest Springboks in history

Special mention here has to go to former Cheetahs lock JP Du Preez who is taller than anyone capped for the Springboks but has never played an international. Du Preez reportedly stands at 2,08 metres.

Eben Etzebeth – 2,04m

Eben Etzebeth has an incredible 119 Springbok caps to his name and comes in the top four of the tallest to ever pull on the jersey.

Etzebeth was called up to the Springbok team for the first time by Heyneke Meyer ahead of a three-match series against England in June 2012.

His mobility and ball-carrying skills are made that much more impressive coming from someone who is simply huge. He is also a star at charging down box kicks.

Etzebeth currently plays his franchise level rugby for the Sharks having signed for them ahead of the 2022/23 URC season.

Lood De Jager – 2,06m

Lood De Jager’s boyish visage belies the fact that he operates on a massive frame, sometimes billed as 2,05m or 2,06m.

He is either the third or second-tallest Springbok of all time.

De Jager played for the Leopards as a youth and also for NWU Pukke, the university team headquartered in Potchefstroom.

A health condition has threatened De Jager’s career and he might have played his last Test for the Springboks.

RG Snyman – 2,06m

Another double Rugby World Cup winner in this group, Snyman scored the crucial try in the semi-final of the 2023 tournament against England.

Snyman looks like a Viking and instills the same kind of fear. A rampaging lock who gets through a mountain of work.

Snyman first represented the Blue Bulls in primary school when he competed in the 2008 Under-13 Craven Week competition.

He has been brilliant for Munster and was part of their URC-winning squad in the 2022/23 season.

The Tallest Springbok in history

Andries Bekker – 2,08m

“So tall he must have been born on a long weekend,” Warren Brosnihan once said of Andries Bekker.

The former Stormers and Springboks lock towered over opponents at 2,08m and still ranks as the tallest ever to wear the Green and Gold.

Bekker made his debut for the Springboks in 2008 against Wales in a 43–17 victory in Bloemfontein.

Bekker recently joined the coaching team of the Bulls under their DoR Jake White.