In a landslide result that speaks volumes about legacy, class, and rugby IQ, Fourie du Preez has been voted the starting scrumhalf in the Springbok Dream Team project.
Du Preez claimed just over 64 per cent of the vote, comfortably ahead of Joost van der Westhuizen, who earned a very respectable 24 per cent. The remaining votes were split among a handful of other contenders, but this was always a two-horse race between two of South Africa’s greatest No.9s.
Du Preez’s selection is a nod to his unmatched tactical control, pinpoint kicking game and ice-cold decision-making under pressure. Whether it was his dominance in the 2007 World Cup, his masterclass against Wales in 2015, or his telepathic link with Victor Matfield, Du Preez remains the gold standard for scrumhalves in the professional era.
Yet the support for Joost cannot be ignored. A fierce competitor, a try-scoring machine and a player who redefined the physicality of the position, Joost’s legacy remains deeply embedded in South African rugby folklore. His impact on the game - and his fight off the field - continues to inspire.
With Du Preez now locked in at No.9, the Springbok Dream Team edges closer to completion. And if this vote proved anything, it’s that South African fans know their rugby - and they don’t forget their legends.