There have been as many as 15 instances of fathers and their sons representing the Springboks. How many can you name?
There have been 15 instances of fathers and their sons representing the Springboks.
Scrumhalf Robert du Preez holds the record of having three sons to have played for the reigning world champions, Robert jnr, Jean-Luc and Dan.
Who will be the next father-son combo?
| Father | Son |
| Alf Walker | Harry Walker |
| Mauritz van den Berg | Derek van den Berg |
| CB Jennings | Mike Jennings |
| Felix du Plessis | Morne du Plessis |
| Louis Schmidt | Uli Schmidt |
| Joggie Viljoen | Joggie Viljorn jnr |
| Moaner van Heerden | Wikus van Heerden |
| Hennie Bekker | Andries Bekker |
| Gysie Pienaar | Ruan Pienaar |
| Schalk Burger snr | Schalk Burger jnr |
| Flippe van der Merwe | Flip van der Merwe |
| Jaco Reinach | Cobus Reinach |
| Robert du Preez | Robert du Preez jnr |
| Robert du Preez | Jean-Luc du Preez |
| Robert du Preez | Dan du Preez |
Meanwhile, Des van Jaarsveldt boasts the honour of being the oldest living Springbok according to the history books.
Van Jaarsveldt was born in Bulawayo in then Rhodesia and on Easter Sunday this year celebrated his 95th birthday having been born on 31 March 1929.
He was educated at Milton Junior and Plumtree Schools in Bulawayo.
In his lone Test match, which took place on April 30, 1960, at the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth against Scotland, Van Jaarsveldt captained the Springboks.
That day, he scored a try for the Springboks in an 18-10 victory that was worth three points at the time.
Van Jaarsveldt was a flanker as well as a wing player.
Because of his speed and bald head, he was fondly referred to as the “Bald Eagle” during his playing career.
He was the first Rhodesian to lead South Africa as captain.
After he finished playing, he helped Rhodesian rugby transfer into Zimbabwe by serving as a coach and administrator.
He competed in the 1950 South African Championships as a heavyweight boxer for Southern Rhodesia, in addition to his rugby career.
In the 1963 New Year Honours, he received an appointment as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his “services to sport in Southern Rhodesia.”
In 1983, Van Jaarsveldt made a brief appearance in politics when he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Zimbabwean Senate on behalf of the Republican Front of former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith. He lost the race due to a draw of lots following a 10–10 tie vote.
Springbok number 354 is Des van Jaarsveldt.
WHO’S THE YOUNGEST SPRINGBOK?
Meanwhile, many will be forgiven for thinking that Frans Steyn is the youngest ever Springbok – or perhaps Canan Moodie for that matter.
While both do feature among the 15 youngest players to ever make their debuts in the famed green and gold jerseys, neither are the youngest to have done so.
As many as 14 teenagers feature in the Top 15 youngest Springboks of all time.
One has to go back 133 years to find the youngest.
That was Jack Hartley on 5 September 1891 on the tour of Britain.
Hartley was just 18 years and 18 days when he made his debut for South Africa.
TOP 15 YOUNGEST SPRINGBOKS OF ALL TIME
| Rank | Players | Opponent | Age |
| 1 | Jack Hartley | Britain | 18 years, 18 days |
| 2 | Davey Cope | Britain | 19 years, 8 days |
| 3 | Bob Loubser | Britain | 19 years, 37 days |
| 4 | Clive van Ryneveld | Britain | 19 years, 51 days |
| 5 | Wally Mills | Britain | 19 years, 72 days |
| 6 | Freddy Turner | Australia | 19 years, 112 days |
| 7 | Fairy Heatlie | Britain | 19 years, 126 days |
| 8 | Syd de Melker | Britain | 19 years, 158 days |
| 9 | Frans Steyn | Ireland | 19 years, 181 days |
| 10 | Stevie Joubert | Ireland | 19 years, 230 days |
| 11 | Jackie Powell | Britain | 19 years, 260 days |
| 12 | Canan Moodie | Australia | 19 years, 302 days |
| 13 | Percy Jones | Britain | 19 years, 321 days |
| 14 | Chilliboy Ralepelle | New Zealand | 19 years, 349 days |
| 15 | Pat Lambie | Ireland | 20 years, 20 days |
