#3. Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
Botha was the epitome of a hard man in rugby. In an era where physicality was king, Botha stood out as the Springboks’ enforcer for over a decade.
Unafraid to impose himself on the opposition, Botha’s bone-crunching tackles and relentless aggression made him a nightmare for opposing teams.
Whether it was dominating the Lions in brutal Test matches or asserting his authority in the tight exchanges, Botha’s toughness was unquestionable.