What is iconic Springbok Os du Randt doing now?
Today at 05:06 AM
Sometimes in sports, the word ‘legend’ can be used to easily, but there is no doubt that former Springbok prop Os du Randt is truly worthy of that title.
Besides featuring in a memorable 80 Tests for the Springboks, his story itself is the stuff of legend.
After forming part of the successful 1995 World Cup-winning squad, Du Randt would go on to enjoy an illustrious career with both the Springboks and predominantly the Cheetahs – at domestic level – before first retiring in 2000.
However, a few years later he would be coaxed out of retirement by then Springbok coach Jake White, and in one of the comeback stories for the ages, he would finish his international career as part of the 2007 World Cup-winning team.
"I would have to say that I never thought I would bow out in a World Cup final when I called it a day in 2000," he reflected at the time after completing his incredible comeback. "To begin with a world title and to finish with another would be a real accomplishment, a memory that I will cherish forever."
Springbok icon Os du Randt has also made a big impact away from the rugby field
Following his second – and final – retirement in 2007, Du Randt spent time serving as a scrum coach, briefly with the Cheetahs and then as a consultant with the Springboks under Peter de Villiers.
He also shifted his focus away from rugby to work with former teammate Naka Drotske at TopTrim, a company that manufactures fitness and nutrition products.
Du Randt has always been a passionate farmer as well, and most recently he began working in the distribution sector of Smith Power Equipment.
Smith Power's main interest for farmers is the Kubota division, which offers the best quality tractors, TLBs, and power engines.
Back in 2023, Kubota announced Du Randt as a brand ambassador, stating: "For us the decision was straight forward. Os has not only achieved the highest success that any sports professional dreams of but is also a farmer himself.
“It is his history and background in farming which really convinced us that there are synergies between us and Os which make this partnership work!”
Hall of Famer
It shouldn't be forgotten that Du Randt, who is now 52 years old, was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2022.
"Du Randt, or 'The Ox' as he was nicknamed during his playing days, was sidelined through injury from 2000-03 but returned to the Springboks' ranks against Ireland in Bloemfontein in June 2014, thus ending a five-year absence from the international arena," the World Rugby organisation stated when he was inducted.
"The fact that he missed 46 matches during his time away makes Du Randt's final tally of test caps all the more remarkable, and until being overtaken by John Smit in late 2008, the revered prop held the record as South Africa's most-capped forward. Aside from his Rugby World Cup successes he was also able to get his hands on the Tri-Nations trophy in 2004, as well as enjoying a successful provincial and Super Rugby career in his native South Africa."
WHAT WERE YOUR FAVOURITE MEMORIES FROM HIS CAREER?
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