In a continued article series, this selection has been one of the most challenge to date, but here we attempt to rank the three greatest Springbok blindside flanks of all time.

TOP THREE SPRINGBOK BLINDSIDE FLANKS OF ALL TIME

1 Pieter-Steph du Toit

Perhaps slotting Du Toit in at No 1 will be cause for some debate considering he is only 32-years-old and far from finished in his illustrious career, but there simply hasn’t been another player like PSDT.

Regarded by many as the Springboks’ Man of the Match in both the 2019 and 2023 World Cup finals, he is one of the most impactful players who has ever worn the green and gold.

The two-time winner of World Rugby Player of the Year (in 2019 & 2024) has overcome a host of serious injuries to establish himself as a remarkable athlete who is one of the most destructive all-round flankers to have ever graced the game.

2 Jan Ellis

Ellis was simply one of the most gifted players from the Springboks’ amateur era, with the mobile flanker featuring in 38 Tests between 1965 and 1976.

Despite a career disrupted by South Africa’s sporting isolation, he left an indelible mark on Springbok history through his ferocious physicality, unexpected pace and a lethal combination with Piet Greyling.

Ellis’ intensive training regime is also the stuff of legend, and he is regarded by many rugby veterans as arguably the greatest Springbok flanker of all time.

3 Juan Smith

Over the course of a remarkable 70-cap Test career, Smith set himself apart with his incredible all-round play, physicality and fearless approach to the game.

Smith was the almost perfect hybrid modern-day flank, boasting incredible mobility and a tireless work rate along with enough size and strength to mix it up in the physical exchanges.

He played in two Rugby World Cup tournaments (2003 and 2007) and was also nominated as the SA Rugby Player of the Year in those seasons. Unfortunately his Test career effectively came to a premature end due to injury, when he was still just 29 years old, but his legacy was firmly entrenched by then.

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/ranked-three-greatest-springbok-blindside-flanks/