Rugby Fans Debate How Springbok Legends Like Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana Would Start Under Rassie Erasmus in South Africa

There’s something about Springbok rugby that gets South Africans arguing in taxis, braais and WhatsApp groups.

Right now, the big question doing the rounds is this: if you could take some of the legends from the past and drop them into today’s all-conquering side under Rassie Erasmus, who would actually start?

It sounds like heresy. After all, this current team has rewritten the history books.

But even in a golden era, there are certain names that would walk straight into the XV in their prime.

Let’s get into it.

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Matfield and Etzebeth Would Be a Lock Pairing for the Ages

If you’re picking a side to dominate world rugby, you start with the engine room.

And in that department, Victor Matfield is non-negotiable.

Matfield wasn’t just a lock; he was a lineout mastermind.

Stealing opposition ball was second nature. His rugby IQ at set-piece time was ridiculous.

Imagine pairing him at No 5 with Eben Etzebeth in full flight.

Power meets precision. Steel meets strategy.

Yes, they briefly played together in 2015, but that was Etzebeth before his peak and Matfield after his.

In their primes? That would’ve been unfair on the rest of the world.

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Duane Vermeulen Still Defines the Modern No 8

South Africa has produced some serious athletic No 8s over the years, but Duane Vermeulen remains the gold standard.

He had everything. Ball-carrying authority.

Defensive bite. Soft hands. A rugby brain that matched his physicality.

In big matches, he didn’t just show up — he imposed himself.

Today’s squad is stacked with loose forward talent, but Vermeulen in his prime would still command that jersey.

There’s a reason he’s now mentoring the next generation. When you’ve been that good, people listen.

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Scrumhalf Royalty Would Fit Rassie’s Rotation Perfectly

South Africa has been spoiled at scrumhalf.

Choosing between Joost van der Westhuizen and Fourie du Preez feels borderline criminal.

Joost was fearless. He tackled giants, famously bringing down Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final.

He had pace, vision and a nose for the try line, finishing with 38 Test tries — still among the best tallies ever for a Bok.

Du Preez, on the other hand, was chess while everyone else was playing checkers.

His kicking game was laser-guided. His tempo control was surgical.

He read games two phases ahead.

Under Erasmus, who loves strategic rotation, you could easily see both men sharing duties — much like the current system rotates based on opposition and conditions.

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Habana Would Light Up Any Era

There’s no scenario where Bryan Habana doesn’t make the cut.

Sixty-seven Test tries. Let that sink in.

Habana combined raw speed with defensive grit and that uncanny ability to intercept at the perfect moment.

He wasn’t just quick — he was decisive.

Put him in today’s system alongside someone like Cheslin Kolbe, and defenders would have nightmares.

In truth, Habana would start in any team, in any decade.

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Jaque Fourie Was the Complete Outside Centre

When it comes to the No 13 jersey, South Africa has been blessed with class operators.

But in his prime, Jaque Fourie was the full package.

He had pace comparable to modern centres, the physicality to win collisions, and defensive awareness that shut down opposition attacks before they fully formed.

He ran sharp lines and knew when to break and when to distribute.

In a side that values structure and physical dominance, Fourie would slot right in.

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Percy Montgomery’s Boot Still Talks

At fullback, the debate gets spicy. But Percy Montgomery deserves serious respect.

The first Springbok to reach 100 caps. A record 893 points.

Elite goal-kicking. Calm under pressure.

In tight knockout rugby — which South Africa seems to specialise in — having a kicker that reliable can be the difference between lifting silverware and watching someone else do it.

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This Current Team Is Already Legendary

Let’s not forget: this isn’t about dismissing the present.

The current Springboks have achieved things most teams only dream of.

Back-to-back Rugby World Cups. A grip on major trophies.

Top spot in the global rankings.

Some pundits even place them alongside the great New Zealand All Blacks as one of the finest sides ever assembled.

Awards back that up too, with Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit recently scooping global accolades.

So this isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s more a celebration of just how deep South Africa’s rugby heritage runs.

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So What Would That Dream XV Look Like?

If you blend eras and ignore time machines being impossible, you could easily picture this spine holding firm:

Matfield and Etzebeth in the second row.

Vermeulen anchoring the back of the scrum.

Joost or Du Preez dictating play.

Habana and Kolbe tearing up the wings.

Fourie outside a powerful midfield.

Montgomery calmly slotting goals.

It’s the kind of team that would make opposition coaches lose sleep.

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What’s Next?

The beauty of this debate is that it never truly ends.

As long as the Springboks keep winning under Erasmus, new names will enter the conversation.

In 10 years’ time, today’s heroes might be the “legends” fans argue would walk into a future squad.

For now, the focus shifts to maintaining dominance.

The next Rugby Championship, the next World Cup cycle, the next generation coming through the ranks.

Because in South Africa, rugby doesn’t stand still.

It evolves. And the arguments? They just get better.

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Summary

While the current Springbok side under Rassie Erasmus is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in rugby history, several retired legends would likely start if dropped into today’s squad in their prime.

Victor Matfield, Duane Vermeulen, Joost van der Westhuizen or Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie and Percy Montgomery all have strong claims based on their dominance, skill and big-match impact.

The debate highlights not only the strength of the present team but also the remarkable depth of South Africa’s rugby legacy.