The big man is the only South African to have played in two World Cup-winning teams, and he is inductee no. 145 in the Hall of Fame.

With just a week to go before the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan, it is very fitting that this accolade has come the way of the gentle giant, and being named in the same group to be inducted as the All Blacks great, Richie McCaw, is very fitting.

The man whose international career saw him playing in 80 Tests for the Springboks told OFM Sport that after all the years of blood, sweat, and tears, it is nice to get the unexpected recognition.

“Coming back after retirement because of all the injuries and all the sacrifices you make like being away from home, missing you kids rugby games and so on, it nice to get recognition for your contribution to rugby by being inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

“It is something that you don’t expect and only dream about, but is something that you cannot take for granted, so I’m very honoured to be there.

“Richie McCaw was a world-class player, he was somebody like Naas Botha. You hated playing against him, but you loved to play with him. To be in the same be inducted in the same group as him makes it a little more special.”

The captain of the Springboks which won the World Cup in 2007, John Smit, was also a prop, while the late Samoan captain, Peter Fatialofa, also played in the front-row. Du Randt says that it about time that the big men start appearing among the inductees.

“Somewhere we must start coming through. It’s always the beauty-boys, the centres and those kinds of players that get the honours. It shows that if you keep knocking on the door hopefully you will come through, and least now we have a few props in the Hall of Fame.”

As a two-time World Cup winner, Du Randt, has high hopes the Springboks chances at the Rugby World Cup this year. A year ago the Springboks weren’t even considered as contenders to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy, but now they are considered among the favourites.

“Especially with the hard work that Rassie Erasmus and his team have put in behind the scenes, the Boks deserve to be where they are mentally at the moment.

“The fact that they turned the boat around and started playing the rugby that they have this year proves that there is method in the madness with everything that they do.

“The team knows exactly what to do and everything has been planned to the smallest detail. That is one thing that I can remember from 1995 and 2007 World Cups. Everything was planned, everything was accounted for, and everybody knew exactly what to do and what is expected of them. I have got high hopes for the Springboks this year.

“As a team, we are settled and I think that mentally we are in a very good space at the moment. With a win and a draw against New Zealand and other big teams, it will put to a few doubts to rest.

“We must just go out there and play rugby. We have to make sure that we do our stuff well and defend well. Defence, a strong set-piece and fitness will win us this World Cup.”

The other inductees are Richie McCaw and Graham Henry (New Zealand), as well as, Peter Fatialofa (Samoa), Shiggy Konna (Japan), and Diego Ormaechea of Uruguay.

The Springboks 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign kicks off against the All Blacks on 21 September in Yokohama. 

@MorganPiek OFM Sport