From the amateur days to the modern era, some legendary Springboks have made their mark in the all-important position at inside centre.

In this continued content series, we have considered players from all generations, and attempted to rank the three greatest Springboks to have ever worn the No 13 jersey.

Despite immense competition, all three come from the modern era.

TOP THREE SPRINGBOK INSIDE CENTRES OF ALL TIME

1) Jean de Villiers

De Villiers is the second-most capped Springbok backline player of all time, and started 92 of his 109 Tests in the No 12 jersey.

The impact of De Villiers was far greater than this, though. He was lethal with ball in hand and become known as the ‘intercept king’ as a result of his incredible ability to read the game.

If not for some terrible injury misfortune, which also cruelly struck at World Cup after World Cup, he would have easily earned over 130 Test caps.

Nevertheless, he was a mainstay in the Springbok side from 2004 to 2015, while he was a Tri Nations winner in 2004 and 2009, and played a key role in the successful British & Irish Lions series in 2009. And although an injury cut his tournament short at the World Cup in 2007, he still walked away with a winners medal.

Without even mentioning his influential captaincy, there can be no denying that De Villiers is a true legend of Springbok rugby.

2 Damian de Allende

It was always going to be difficult for someone to step into the boots left behind by De Villiers, but then along came De Allende.

A modern day great, the 33-year-old – who is still far away from wrapping up his career – has become virtually irreplaceable at the Springboks.

The fact that he started almost every single game throughout the successful World Cup campaigns in 2019 and 2023, as well as all three Tests in the series win over the British & Irish Lions in 2021, speaks volumes about his incredible impact.

An incredible ball carrier, powerful defender, strong breakdown jackler and a player with incredible work rate and fitness levels, De Allende could well be elevated into No 1 spot in this ranking by the time he hangs up his boots.

3 Frans Steyn

It was an agonising task to decide who should slot into the third and final spot in this ranking segment. However, in the end, it just seems impossible to overlook arguably the most prodigiously talented player to have ever been produced by South African rugby.

There is a school of thought that Steyn’s rapid rise to ‘poster boy’ fame did no favours for his career progression, while his ability to play across almost every position in the backline did mean that there was a lack of clarity over where he was best suited.

Yet, it was most often in the No 12 jersey – where he started 24 times in a 78-cap career – that he made a massive impact with his multi-faceted skills, physical ball-carrying and defence, as well as his famed rocket of a boot.

Steyn is responsible for some of the most incredible goal-kicking highlight reels in Springbok rugby, while he is a double World Cup winner and British & Irish Lions series victor.

He was truly a one-of-a-kind player.

*NOTE: From the amateur era, special mentions have to go to the sensational Joggie Jansen, Eben Olivier and Tjol Lategan, who could so easily have made the top three, but ultimately they just didn’t play quite enough Test rugby to make this ranking.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE RANKINGS?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/ranked-three-greatest-springbok-inside-centres-of-all-time/