RIP | Springbok great dies hours after All Blacks defeat
· The South African
South African rugby is mourning the death of Springbok legend Joggie Jansen who passed away at the age of 78 on Sunday morning, just hours after the Springboks defeated the All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium.
Some rugby players are remembered for a long list of achievements. Others become forever associated with one unforgettable moment.
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For Joggie Jansen, it was one tackle.
Jansen, born Joachim Scholtz Jansen in Griekwastad on 5 February 1948, earned 10 Test caps for South Africa between 1970 and 1972, establishing himself as a formidable inside centre during one of the most demanding eras of international rugby.
He attended Hoërskool Griekwastad along his brother Eben, who remain the only two Springboks produced by the Northern Cape school to date.
But it was his first Test appearance against New Zealand in 1970 that would etch his name into Springbok folklore.
The tackle that turned the tide
Jansen made his Springbok debut against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 25 July 1970.
South Africa were facing a New Zealand side widely regarded as one of the greatest teams of the era – the so-called ‘Invincible’ All Blacks.
With the match finely poised, Jansen produced the moment that changed the contest.
All Black Wayne Cottrell received the ball on the blind side, only for Jansen to launch a perfectly timed tackle that halted the attack and helped swing momentum South Africa’s way.
The Springboks went on to win 17-6, giving Jansen a dream international debut.
That tackle immediately attracted attention and became one of the defining moments of his career.
More than just a tackler
While Jansen’s reputation was initially built around his defensive ability, there was considerably more to his game.
The inside centre proved himself to be a skilful and dependable all-round player, capable of contributing both defensively and in attack.
He scored his only Test try in his second appearance for South Africa, against New Zealand at Newlands on 8 August 1970.
Although the Springboks narrowly lost that encounter 9-8, Jansen and his team-mates bounced back to beat the All Blacks in the third and fourth Tests of the series.
South Africa won 14-3 in Port Elizabeth before completing a dramatic 20-17 victory at Ellis Park.
An unbeaten tour of Australia
Jansen was also part of the Springbok touring squad to Australia in 1971.
He started all three Tests against the Wallabies, helping South Africa secure a clean sweep.
The Springboks won 19-11 in Sydney, followed that with a 14-6 victory in Brisbane, and completed the series with an 18-6 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
It was a remarkable run for Jansen, who had quickly established himself as a trusted member of the national side.
His Test career also included a two-match series against France in 1971. South Africa won the first encounter 22-9 in Bloemfontein before the teams played to an 8-8 draw in Durban.
Ten Tests for South Africa
Jansen’s final Springbok appearance came on 3 June 1972 against England at Ellis Park.
South Africa lost that match 18-9, bringing the curtain down on a Test career that had delivered 10 caps and one try.
Although his international career lasted only two years, Jansen’s contribution has endured in Springbok history.
He was later ranked 82nd in the South African Rugby Top 100, recognition of his impact during a golden period of South African rugby.
His career is perhaps best summed up by the story surrounding that famous tackle.
Some players score the winning try. Others kick the decisive goal.
Joggie Jansen became a Springbok legend by making a tackle at exactly the right moment – and proving afterwards that he was far more than simply a hard man in defence.