An influential member of the 1995 Springbok World Cup-winning squad, along with a legendary New Zealand rival, have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
Former Bok flyhalf Joel Stransky and ex-All Blacks No 8 Zinzan Brooke are the first of seven inductees of the class of 2026.
Their contributions to the sport were celebrated at a dinner in Cape Town on Thursday ahead of the second Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between South Africa and New Zealand.
Both World Cup winners on home soil with the All Blacks in 1987 and Boks in 1995, respectively, Brooke and Stransky also faced each other in New Zealand’s tour of the Republic 30 years ago.
PLUS: Joel Stransky’s Perfect XV
Stransky kicked all of South Africa’s points in the 1995 final at Ellis Park, including the extra-time drop goal that ensured his place in Bok folklore. He played 22 Tests from 1993 to 1996, scoring six tries and 240 points.
Brooke, who famously kicked a drop goal in the 1995 World Cup semi-final against England, started 54 of his 58 Tests in the iconic black jersey across his 12-year international career.
The remaining five members of the class of 2026 will be announced on Monday, 7 September and will take the number of inductees to 182 since the Hall of Fame began in 2006.
ALSO: Three Boks in Carter’s Dream XV
“Joel’s name will forever be linked with one of rugby’s most powerful and unifying moments, his winning drop goal giving us the iconic image of Nelson Mandela in a Springbok jersey alongside captain Francois Pienaar as a nation came together,” World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said.
“Zinzan challenged what people thought a forward could be with his skill and imagination.”
John Eales, chairman of the Hall of Fame panel and a Hall of Fame inductee, added: “This year’s inductees represent the very best of our sport with extraordinary talent matched by humility, leadership and an unwavering commitment to rugby’s values.”
Photo: Tertius Pickard/Gallo Images
The post Bok World Cup hero, Kiwi icon in Hall of Fame appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
An influential member of the 1995 Springbok World Cup-winning squad, along with a legendary New Zealand rival, have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
The post Bok World Cup hero, Kiwi icon in Hall of Fame appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
