BOK DREAM TEAM: Who is the centre of attention?

It is often said that the outside centre is probably the most difficult position to defend. Often, the 13 jersey needs to choose between being a missile and a magician, and so often a bit of both.

Many times,wingers move into the 13 jersey as they age a bit, but it is a place where magic is rewarded, and slip-ups are costly. The missile in a rush defence to try and cut out the outside ball, and the magician in creating that space for the wingers to run onto.

South Africa has been privileged to see a number of players that fit the bill and are exceptional in their positions, so here are our six.

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Lukhanyo Am (Springboks 2017-current)

If there was a highlights reel of Am’s exploits, a number of frames would have to be given to the audacious passes he has given others in a Springbok jersey. The ultimate creator, his over the head pass to Makazole Mapimpi in the World Cup final, or his behind the back pass against the All Blacks stand out.

Am is another of those players who stood out by fighting his way through the system from the Eastern Cape, through the Border Bulldogs, Southern Kings and then the Sharks, where he became a Bok.

While the last while he has struggled with injuries, in his prime he was a key man for the Boks and at one stage was vice-captain to Siya Kolisi. A double World Cup winner, with the 2023 medal coming after he was initially not selected but replaced Mapimpi during the tournament.

Jaque Fourie (Springboks 2003-2014)

When Jaque Fourie’s name comes to mind, the first image is always the most exceptional try he scored in his international career - the one where he bumped off two players in the second test against the British and Irish Lions in 2009 to score a try with pure power.

That try was later named by World Rugby as the international try of the year for that season.

A naturally gifted player who started his provincial career at fullback, but also played on the wing in his 72 tests for the Springboks where he formed an inspiring partnership with Jean de Villiers in the midfield. Fourie was part of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Adrian Jacobs (Springboks 2001-2011)

Although Jacobs didn’t play as many tests as many of the others on the list, those who watched his career will testify to the fact that he was an incredible creator. Often able to step and find the gap, Jacobs scored some amazing tries, and while he was small for a 13, he had a physicality that would carry him through his career.

An SA Rugby Young player of the year nominee in 2001 and SA Rugby Player of the year nominee in 2008, Jacobs played 34 tests, 14 of them coming on as a substitute.

Jesse Kriel (Springboks 2015-present)

Possibly the fittest Springbok in the current set-up, Kriel has always been a role model as a professional athlete and has played wing and fullback as well in his career. He was the player early on that missed the crucial tackle in the shock loss to Japan in the Miracle of Brighton, but has grown to be one of the best defenders in World Rugby.

Kriel organises the Bok backline and has been a rock in the two World Cup victories under Rassie Erasmus, captaining the side in 2025 as well.

A double World Cup winner, with a bronze medal from 2015 to add, Kriel is the twin brother of Dan, who also played provincial rugby and the great-grandson of John Hodgson (1909-1970), who played 15 games for the British and Irish Lions in the 1930s

Japie Mulder (Springboks 1994-2001)

The first image of Japie Mulder that comes to mind is an iconic one - the big tackle during the 1995 Rugby World Cup final on Jonah Lomu. Given the impact that Lomu had on the tournament, Mulder, James Small and Joost van der Westhuizen’s big tackles stopped the big fella in his tracks and contributed to an epic first World Cup win for the Springboks.

A strong tackler and superb distributor, Mulder played 34 tests for the Springboks and was part of a team that broke barriers and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Andre Snyman (Springboks 1996-2006)

A strong, physical centre, Andre Snyman also played on the wing during his time at international level. Deceptive with his speed and physical to the core, he made his debut in 1996 against the All Blacks and continued to play until 2006. Snyman was also part of the 1997 Springbok Sevens team that made it to the World Cup final, but lost to Fiji in Hong Kong.

He missed the 1999 World Cup with an ankle injury, but played 38 tests for the Springboks, scoring 10 tries in the process.