As this content series heads towards its end, we take a look at some of the greatest Springbok hookers of all time, and look rank the top three.
THREE GREATEST SPRINGBOK HOOKERS
1 Malcolm Marx
A modern day great, plain and simple. Marx is such a talented forward that he probably wouldn’t be out of place in the back row.
It seems unfair to have to pick between him and fellow teammate Bongi Mbonambi, who is a legendary figure in his own right, but Marx has redefined the hooker role in so many ways.
Not only is he a physical specimen who does his primary roles incredibly well, but his effectiveness at the breakdown, and mobility as a ball carrier, has put him in a class of his own.
The 30-year-old already has 76 Test caps, and is almost certain to surpass a century when he eventually hangs up his boots as an unequivocal icon of the game.
2 Uli Schmidt
One of the Springboks’ original enforcers, Uli was a sensational X factor player who scored an unforgettable try against the New Zealand Cavaliers in 1986, which perfectly epitomised what he could do as a player who boasted a sidestep that many backs would be envious of.
Although not the biggest hooker South Africa has ever had, he more than made up for that with his mobility, work rate and courage.
Sometimes his temperament was a little on the wild side, but there is no denying that he broke the mould and paved the way for future generations as a hooker who almost served as an extra loose forward.
3 John Smit
It seems a travesty to exclude Bismarck du Plessis and Mbonambi from this final podium place, but there is also just no way to overlook the most-capped Springbok hooker of all time.
The iconic leader of the Springboks started 81 Tests at hooker, and was the pillar of the forward pack for more than two decades.
Smit was by no means the flashiest of players, but his consistency, set-piece prowess and leadership all contributed to a truly special legacy.
DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS RANKING?
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