When looking back at the career of some Springbok stars, it is rather unbelievable that certain players have not earned many more Test caps for one reason or another.

Here we reflect on three Springbok players from the modern era who deserved so much more.

UNLUCKY SPRINGBOKS

1) Pat Lambie

One of the true ‘poster boys’ of South African rugby, Lambie was a schoolboy prodigy who burst onto the senior stage with a stunning performance for the Sharks in the 2010 Currie Cup final.

The prodigiously talented utility back would become a mainstay in the Sharks’ starting line-up and quickly racked up 50 Springbok caps by the age of 25.

However, just as it seemed that Lambie was set to be backed for an extended run as the Springboks’ first-choice flyhalf, he suffered a horror collision with Ireland loose forward CJ Stander in 2016.

Having been left with a severe concussion, Lambie continued to suffer from various issues related to head knocks and post-concussion syndrome.

Despite numerous attempts to make a consistent comeback, it was then eventually confirmed in early 2019 that he had been forced to retire at the age of 28 on the grounds of medical advice.

2) Marcell Coetzee

By the end of 2014, it looked like the next big thing in Springbok rugby had been discovered after Marcell Coetzee quickly made his presence felt on the international scene, earning 26 Test caps by the age of 23.

Fast forward to the present, and the powerful loose forward is now 34-years-old and still playing high quality rugby for the Bulls, but that’s what makes it so hard to believe that he has only featured in five Tests over the last decade.

Unfortunately for Coetzee, injuries have often just struck at the worst possible time.

It will be recalled that Coetzee was given a chance to force his way into the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad by being selected to face Argentina in the final warm-up game to be played on South African soil. Early in the game he was forced off through concussion, though, and then it was confirmed he had an ankle injury that ruled out his availability for the tournament.

In 2015 Coetzee was also injured and had to hear in a meeting with Heyneke Meyer that he was left out of the squad that played that RWC in England.

His last Test appearance came in a one-off game against Wales in 2022, but it really is an unfortunate travesty that he hasn’t earned more international caps.

3) Rohan Janse van Rensburg

When thinking of players who seemed undoubtedly deserving of more Test caps, one name can’t be forgotten: Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

The powerful centre formed part of a golden era for the Lions from 2016 to 2018, with his power and ball-carrying ability setting him apart as one of the most in-form players across world rugby.

However, for whatever reason, he could not force his way into Allister Coetzee’s Springbok team, only eventually being handed a debut in the season-ending Test against Wales in 2016.

After making just that one-off appearance, Janse van Rensburg headed overseas to join the Sale Sharks in England, and although injuries did prove to be disruptive at times, he still became a key figure for the English club over the better part of five years.

Janse van Rensburg briefly returned to the Durban-based Sharks before linked up with the Bordeaux Begles in France, where he has most recently impressed, but unfortunately it does seem that he will remain a one-cap Springbok.

WHO DO YOU THINK HAVE BEEN THE UNLUCKIEST BOKS?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/ranked-three-incredibly-unlucky-springboks/