The Springboks may have had the edge over the All Blacks in recent encounters, but the last time South Africa won the Freedom Cup was at the Tri-Nations in 2009.

The reigning world champions beat the All Blacks twice in this year’s championship: They won the first test in Durban 31-19 and the second test in Hamilton 32-29, securing their second Freedom Cup after their premiere in 2004.

A lot has changed since then. The two teams have won four world championships together. But it raises the question of what the Springboks team of yesteryear is doing today.

With that in mind, here is a closer look at the current status of the last Springboks team to win the Freedom Cup.

15 Francois Steyn

Legendary Springboks defender Francois Steyn played a crucial role in the narrow 32-29 win in Hamilton, converting three penalties from tee shots. He was first called up to the Springboks squad in 2006, the same year he made his Currie Cup debut for the Sharks and went on to win 78 caps and two World Cups in green and gold.

F. Steyn retired in 2023 and has been the Cheetahs’ Director of Rugby since then.

14 Odwa Ndungane

Winger Odwa Ndungane made his debut for the Springboks in 2008 after putting in some good performances in the ’emerging Springboks team’ in 2007. He played a total of nine international matches for his country between 2008 and 2011.

Since retiring from his career in 2017, he has moved into the construction industry and is Director of Ndungane Construction.

13 Jacques Fourie

Centre Jaque Fourie made his debut for the Springboks during the 2003 World Cup, but developed into an important part of the team between 2003 and 2014. He won a total of 72 caps for the Green and Golds and was part of the team that won the 2007 World Cup.

Fourie retired in 2017 but now serves as defense coach for the Lions.

12 Jean de Villiers

Legendary Springbok Jean de Villiers got on the scoresheet in the win over the All Blacks, scoring early in the second half. The centre made his Test debut in 2002 and became a regular fixture in the team over the course of his 13-year Test career.

He played a total of 109 international matches for the Green and Golds – the sixth highest number in the Springboks’ history – and was part of the team that won the 2007 World Cup.

Since his retirement, De Villiers has become a successful entrepreneur and also acts as a rugby expert.

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11 Bryan Habana

After impressing on the Sevens tour, winger Bryan Habana made his senior debut for the Springboks in 2004 and quickly became a legend of the game.

He played 124 international matches for his country – joint second with Eben Etzebeth – and also became his country’s top try scorer with 67 tries over the course of his twelve-year Test career.

Since retiring from playing, he has worked as an ambassador for the HSBC Sevens and is a pundit.

10 Morgen Steyn

The other Steyn in the squad that day was Morné, who kicked four shots in the narrow victory over the All Blacks. M. Steyn was called up to the Springboks squad for the 2009 British and Irish Lions series, where he played a starring role in the 2-1 series win. He won 68 caps for the Springboks and helped them to another Lions series win in 2021 after another exceptional kicking performance.

Despite his success against the Lions, he has yet to win a World Cup. Steyn is currently second on his country’s all-time points list with 742 points.

Since his retirement, Steyn has served as a kicking consultant for the Lions in South Africa (the club team).

9 Fourie du Preez

Scrum-half Fourie du Preez scored a try in the 2009 win over the All Blacks and was a regular in the Springboks team between 2004 and 2015, making 76 appearances for the Green and Golds and also helping them win the 2007 World Cup.

Since retiring from gaming in 2016, Du Preez has worked for private equity firm Fledge Capital.

8 Pierre Spies

Powerful No.8 Pierre Spies was plagued by injuries throughout his career but still had a successful time in green and gold. He made his Springboks debut in 2006 and won 53 caps for his country over the course of his seven-year Test career.

Since his retirement, he has worked as a pastor, life coach and motivational speaker.

7 Schalk Burger

Imposing flanker Schalk Burger made his debut for the Springboks in 2003 but quickly established himself as an all-time great when he won the IRB World Player of the Year title in 2004.

Burger played a total of 86 international matches for the Green-Goldens and was also part of the team that won the 2007 World Cup.

In 2017, he gave up his career and is now the owner of a winery and also works as an expert.

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6 Heinrich Brüssow

Backrow forward Heinrich Brüssow made his debut for the Springboks in 2008 and won 22 caps for his country during a seven-year Test career. The highlight of his time in green and gold was the 2009 Lions series, where he played a key role in the two victories against the British and Irish Lions.

After an injury, he ended his career in 2019 and is now pursuing a career outside of rugby.

5. Victor Matfield

Legendary lock Victor Matfield made his debut for the Springboks in 2001 and developed into one of the greatest strikers in the country’s history.

He made an incredible 127 appearances for his country – more than any other Springbok – and also played a key role in the 2007 World Cup triumph.

Since retiring from football in 2016, he owns his own company – Wildswinkel Holdings – and also works as a pundit.

4 Baker Botha

South African enforcer Bakkies Botha made his Springboks debut in 2002 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the game’s most feared players. During his 12-year Test career, he won 85 caps for his country and helped the Boks win the 2007 World Cup.

Since his retirement he has owned a butcher shop called “Bakkies the Butcher”.

3 John Smith

The captain on that day in 2009 was John Smit, who will always be fondly remembered by Springbok fans. He made his international debut in 2000 and went on to make 111 appearances for his country in 11 years – the fifth highest number in South Africa’s history – and led his team to the 2007 World Cup title.

He gave up his career in 2013 and has since worked in the private sector and is also the owner of a non-profit foundation.

2 Bismarck du Plessis

Hooker Bismarck du Plessis made his Test debut for the Springboks in 2007 and won a total of 79 caps for the Green and Golds. He was also part of the victorious team at the 2007 World Cup.

He retired in 2023 at the age of 38 and now works on his family farm.

1. The man with the golden crown

‘The Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira made his debut for the Springboks in 2008 and became an icon of the team. He is currently fourth on the all-time cap list, having made 117 appearances in his 11-year Test career, and helped the team win the 2019 World Cup.

Since retiring from the sport, he now owns a security company and a charitable foundation.

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16 Chiliboy Ralepelle

Hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle made his debut for the Springboks in 2006 and won 25 caps for his country over the next 12 years.

Later in 2019, he failed a doping test and was banned from the sport for eight years.

17 Jannie du Plessis

On this day, Jannie du Plessis joined his brother Bismarck in the squad. J. du Plessis made his Test debut in 2007 and won 70 caps for the Springboks. Like his brother, he was a late call-up to the squad for the 2007 World Cup.

He retired from the sport in 2022 and is a trained doctor.

18 Daniel Rossouw

Versatile striker Danie Rossouw made his debut for the Springboks in 2003 and won 63 caps in his eight years with the national team, including helping to win the 2007 World Cup.

Since his retirement, he now owns his own safari company.

19 Ryan Kankowski

Backrow forward Ryan Kankowski made his debut for the Springboks shortly after the 2007 World Cup and went on to win 20 caps in green and gold.

Since his retirement, he owns his own company and is an avid e-sports player.

20 Ricky Januarie

Scrum-half Ricky Januarie made his professional Test debut in 2005 and won 47 caps for the Springboks in five years, also helping his country win the 2007 World Cup.

He ended his football career in 2019 and is now pursuing a career outside of football.

21 Adrian Jacobs

Versatile running back Adrian Jacobs made his debut for the Springboks in 2001 and went on to win 34 caps for his country over a ten-year period.

He retired from rugby in 2011 and is now pursuing a career outside of sport.

22 Ruan Pienaar

The last player in this squad to retire is Ruan Pienaar, who only retired at the end of last season. He made his Test debut for the Springboks in 2006 and won 88 caps for his country. Pienaar also helped the team win the 2007 World Cup.

After his retirement in May, he became a member of the Cheetahs coaching staff.

Coach: Peter de Villiers

And last but not least, the coach that day was Peter de Villiers. He took over the reins of the Springboks in 2008 following Jake White’s departure and won 30 of his 48 games as coach of the Springboks. De Villiers also led them to the 2009 Tri-Nations title and a series win over the British and Irish Lions.

He entered politics in 2021, but was recently expelled from the Good Party following sexual allegations.

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