Where are they now? The last Springboks side to win the Freedom Cup
The Springboks celebrate their Freedom Cup triumph over the All Blacks
The Springboks might hold the edge over the All Blacks in recent encounters, but you have to go all the way back to the 2009 Tri-Nations for the last time South Africa lifted the Freedom Cup.
The reigning world champions beat the All Blacks twice in that year’s Championship, coming away 31-19 winners in Test one in Durban and then 32-29 winners in Test two in Hamilton to claim their second-ever Freedom Cup after the inaugural one in 2004.
A lot has changed since then, with the sides going onto win a combined four World Cup titles between them; but it begs the question of what are the Springboks team from that day doing now?
Well, with that thought in mind here is an in-depth look at where the last Springboks side to win the Freedom Cup are now.
15 Francois Steyn
Iconic Springboks full-back Francois Steyn played a crucial role in the narrow 32-29 victory in Hamilton, slotting three penalties from the tee. He was drafted into the Springboks squad for the first time in 2006, the same year he made his Currie Cup debut for the Sharks, and went onto win 78 caps and two World Cups in the Green and Gold.
F. Steyn retired in 2023, and has since become director of rugby at the Cheetahs.
14 Odwa Ndungane
Winger Odwa Ndungane made his Springboks debut in 2008 after some decent showings in the ’emerging Springboks squad’ in 2007. He went on to win a total of nine caps for his country between 2008 and 2011.
Since hanging up his boots in 2017, he has transitioned into the construction sector and is the director of Ndungane Construction.
13 Jaque Fourie
Centre Jaque Fourie made his Springboks debut during the 2003 World Cup, but went on to become a key part of the squad between 2003 and 2014. He won a total of 72 caps in the Green and Gold, and was a part of the squad that lifted the 2007 World Cup.
Fourie retired in 2017, but now acts as defence coach for the Lions.
12 Jean de Villiers
Legendary Springbok Jean de Villiers got himself on the scoresheet in the victory over the All Blacks, crossing early in the second-half. The centre made his Test debut in 2002, and became an integral part of the squad across his 13-year Test career.
He won a total of 109 caps in the Green and Gold – the sixth highest in Springboks history – and was a part of the squad that won the 2007 World Cup.
Since retiring, De Villiers is now a successful business owner and also acts as a rugby pundit.
11 Bryan Habana
After impressing on the Sevens circuit, winger Bryan Habana made his full Springboks debut in 2004, and quickly became a legend of the game.
He went onto win 124 caps for his country – joint-second with Eben Etzebeth – and also became his country’s top try-scorer with 67 tries across his 12-year Test career.
Since retiring from the game, he works as an ambassador for the HSBC Sevens and is a pundit.
10 Morné Steyn
The other Steyn in the squad that day was Morné, who slotted four kicks from the tee in the narrow win over the All Blacks. M. Steyn was drafted into the Springboks squad for the 2009 British and Irish Lions series, where he played a starring role in the 2-1 series victory. He went on to win 68 caps for the Springboks, and also helped them claim another Lions series in 2021 after another exceptional kicking performance.
Despite his exploits against the Lions, he hasn’t won a World Cup. Steyn currently sits second on the all-time points list for his country with a haul of 742.
Since retiring, Steyn acts as a kicking consultant for the Lions in South Africa (the club team).
9 Fourie du Preez
A try-scorer in the 2009 victory over the All Blacks, scrum-half Fourie du Preez was an ever-present in the Springboks side between 2004 and 2015. He won 76 caps in the Green and Gold, and also helped them to win the 2007 World Cup.
Since retiring from the game in 2016, Du Preez is now involved with private equity firm Fledge Capital.
8 Pierre Spies
Powerful number eight Pierre Spies was blighted by injuries throughout his career, but still had a prosperous time in Green and Gold. He made his Springboks debut back in 2006, and went on to win 53 caps for his country across his seven-year Test career.
Since retiring, he now works as a pastor, life coach and motivational speaker.
7 Schalk Burger
Imposing flanker Schalk Burger made his Springboks debut in 2003, but quickly established himself as an all-time great as he won the IRB World Player of the Year title in 2004.
Burger went on to win a total of 86 caps in the Green and Gold, and was also part of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad.
He hung up his boots in 2017, and now owns a wine estate and also acts as a pundit.
6 Heinrich Brüssow
Back-rower Heinrich Brüssow made his Springboks debut back in 2008, and went on to win 22 caps for his country across his seven-year spell Test career. The highlight of his time in Green and Gold came during the Lions series in 2009, where he played an influential role in the two victories against the British and Irish Lions.
He retired in 2019 following an injury, and now has a career away from rugby.
5 Victor Matfield
Iconic lock Victor Matfield made his Springboks debut in 2001, and went on to become one of the greatest forwards in the nation’s history.
He amassed an astonishing 127 caps for his country – the most of any Springbok – and also played a key role in the 2007 World Cup triumph.
Following his retirement from the game in 2016, he is owns his own business – Wildswinkel Holdings – and also features as a pundit.
4 Bakkies Botha
South African enforcer Bakkies Botha made his Springboks debut in 2002, and quickly gained a reputation as one of the most fearsome locks in the game. He won 85 caps for his country during his 12-year Test career, and helped the Boks win the 2007 World Cup.
Since retiring, he owns a butchery business called Bakkies the Butcher.
3 John Smit
The captain that day in 2009 was John Smit, who will always be fondly remembered by Springbok fans. He made his international debut back in 2000, and amassed 111 caps for his country – the fifth highest in South African history – across his 11-year spell. He also led his side to the 2007 World Cup title.
He hung up his boots in 2013, and has since found work in the private sector and also owns a charitable foundation.
2 Bismarck du Plessis
Hooker Bismarck du Plessis made his Test debut for the Springboks in 2007, and went on to win a total of 79 caps in the Green and Gold. He was also involved in the victorious 2007 World Cup squad.
He retired in 2023, at the age of 38, and now works on his family farm.
1 Tendai Mtawarira
‘The Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira made his Springboks debut in 2008, and went on to become an icon of the side. He currently sits fourth in the all-time cap list, with 117 to his name across his 11-year Test career, and he also helped win the 2019 World Cup.
Since retiring from the sport, he now owns a security company and a charitable foundation.
Replacements
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle
Hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle made his Springboks debut in 2006, and went on to win 25 caps for his country across a 12-year spell.
He later failed a drugs test in 2019, and has been banned from the sport for eight years.
17 Jannie du Plessis
Joining his brother Bismarck in the squad that day was Jannie du Plessis. J. du Plessis made his Test debut in 2007, and went on to win 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 game in 2022, and is a qualified doctor.
18 Danie Rossouw
Versatile forward Danie Rossouw made his Springboks debut in 2003, and went on to win a total of 63 caps over his eight year spell with the national team. He also helped win the 2007 World Cup.
Following his retirement, he now owns his own Safari company.
19 Ryan Kankowski
Back-rower Ryan Kankowski made his Springboks debut just after the 2007 World Cup, and went on to win 20 caps in Green and Gold.
Since his retirement, he now owns his own business and is a keen E-Sports player.
20 Ricky Januarie
Scrum-half Ricky Januarie made his professional Test debut in 2005, and went on to win 47 caps for the Springboks over a five year spell. He also helped his nation win the 2007 World Cup.
He hung up his boots in 2019, and now has a career away from the game.
21 Adrian Jacobs
Versatile back Adrian Jacobs made his Springboks debut back in 2001, and won 34 caps for his country over a 10-year spell.
He walked away from rugby in 2011, and now has a career outside of sport.
22 Ruan Pienaar
The most recent retiree in this squad is back Ruan Pienaar, who only retired at the end of last season. He made his Test debut for the Springboks in 2006, and went on to win 88 caps for his country. Pienaar also helped win the 2007 World Cup.
Following his retirement in May, he has joined the coaching staff at the Cheetahs.
Coach: Peter de Villiers
Last but not least, the coach that day was Peter de Villiers. He took the reins of the Springboks in 2008 after Jake White’s departure, and he won 30 of his 48 games in charge of the Springboks. De Villiers also guided them to the 2009 Tri-Nations title and a series victory over the British and Irish Lions.
He transitioned into politics in 2021, but was recently expelled from the Good Party after sexual allegations.
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