Fifteen father-son combinations to have represented the Springboks
There have been as many as 15 instances of fathers and their sons representing the Springboks. See the list here.
There have been 15 instances of fathers and their sons representing the Springboks.
Scrumhalf Robert du Preez holds the record of having three sons to have played for the reigning world champions, Robert jnr, Jean-Luc and Dan.
Who will be the next father-son combo?
| Father | Son |
| Alf Walker | Harry Walker |
| Mauritz van den Berg | Derek van den Berg |
| CB Jennings | Mike Jennings |
| Felix du Plessis | Morne du Plessis |
| Louis Schmidt | Uli Schmidt |
| Joggie Viljoen | Joggie Viljorn jnr |
| Moaner van Heerden | Wikus van Heerden |
| Hennie Bekker | Andries Bekker |
| Gysie Pienaar | Ruan Pienaar |
| Schalk Burger snr | Schalk Burger jnr |
| Flippe van der Merwe | Flip van der Merwe |
| Jaco Reinach | Cobus Reinach |
| Robert du Preez | Robert du Preez jnr |
| Robert du Preez | Jean-Luc du Preez |
| Robert du Preez | Dan du Preez |
Meanwhile, Des van Jaarsveldt boasts the honour of being the oldest living Springbok according to the history books.
Van Jaarsveldt was born in Bulawayo in then Rhodesia and on Easter Sunday this year celebrated his 95th birthday having been born on 31 March 1929.
He was educated at Milton Junior and Plumtree Schools in Bulawayo.
Van Jaarsveldt captained the Springboks in his only Test – against Scotland at the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 30 April 1960.
He scored a try that day (worth three points at the time) in a 18-10 victory for the Springboks.
Van Jaarsveldt played both on the wing and at flank.
He was affectionately nicknamed the “Bald Eagle” in his playing days due to his pace and bald head.
He became the first Rhodesian to captain South Africa.
Upon retiring from playing, he acted as a coach and administrator for Rhodesian rugby during the transition of the country into Zimbabwe.
In addition to his rugby career, he also represented Southern Rhodesia as a heavyweight boxer in the 1950 South African Championships.
He was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1963 New Year Honours for “services to sport in Southern Rhodesia”.
Van Jaarsveldt briefly entered politics in 1983, unsuccessfully standing for former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith’s Republican Front for a seat in the Senate of Zimbabwe where he lost the election after a drawing of lots on a 10-10 tied vote.
Des van Jaarsveldt is Springbok number 354.
WHO’S THE YOUNGEST SPRINGBOK?
Meanwhile, many will be forgiven for thinking that Frans Steyn is the youngest ever Springbok – or perhaps Canan Moodie for that matter.
While both do feature among the 15 youngest players to ever make their debuts in the famed green and gold jerseys, neither are the youngest to have done so.
As many as 14 teenagers feature in the Top 15 youngest Springboks of all time.
One has to go back 133 years to find the youngest.
That was Jack Hartley on 5 September 1891 on the tour of Britain.
Hartley was just 18 years and 18 days when he made his debut for South Africa.
TOP 15 YOUNGEST SPRINGBOKS OF ALL TIME
| Rank | Players | Opponent | Age |
| 1 | Jack Hartley | Britain | 18 years, 18 days |
| 2 | Davey Cope | Britain | 19 years, 8 days |
| 3 | Bob Loubser | Britain | 19 years, 37 days |
| 4 | Clive van Ryneveld | Britain | 19 years, 51 days |
| 5 | Wally Mills | Britain | 19 years, 72 days |
| 6 | Freddy Turner | Australia | 19 years, 112 days |
| 7 | Fairy Heatlie | Britain | 19 years, 126 days |
| 8 | Syd de Melker | Britain | 19 years, 158 days |
| 9 | Frans Steyn | Ireland | 19 years, 181 days |
| 10 | Stevie Joubert | Ireland | 19 years, 230 days |
| 11 | Jackie Powell | Britain | 19 years, 260 days |
| 12 | Canan Moodie | Australia | 19 years, 302 days |
| 13 | Percy Jones | Britain | 19 years, 321 days |
| 14 | Chilliboy Ralepelle | New Zealand | 19 years, 349 days |
| 15 | Pat Lambie | Ireland | 20 years, 20 days |