Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll has singled out five Springboks who made life particularly uncomfortable during the British & Irish Lions' brutal 2009 tour of South Africa.
The former Ireland captain faced some fearsome opponents during his 141-Test career, but few encounters matched the physicality of that series.
Reflecting on the tour, O'Driscoll told Rugby365:
"That Springbok team in '09 were all big, uncompromising guys."
Here are the five South African legends he singled out as his toughest Bok opponents.
1. Bakkies Botha
The enforcer of South Africa's pack. Botha was never particularly interested in making friends on the rugby pitch. His uncompromising approach helped make the Springboks' forwards a nightmare to face.
2. Victor Matfield
The brains alongside Botha's brawn. Matfield dominated lineouts and possessed an extraordinary ability to read opposition attacks. He was just as influential without the ball.
3. John Smit
South Africa's World Cup-winning captain brought leadership, experience and considerable physical presence. Smit helped set the tone for a Springbok pack that refused to take a backward step.
4. Jean de Villiers
A formidable midfield opponent who combined intelligent running lines with excellent defensive instincts. De Villiers could punish mistakes in an instant.
5. Jacques Fourie
Perhaps the most direct comparison with O'Driscoll himself. Fourie was a powerful outside centre whose defensive organisation and attacking instincts made him one of the world's finest.
O'Driscoll suffered a concussion during the second Test following a huge collision with Danie Rossouw.
Despite the punishment, he later described 2009 as probably his favourite Lions tour.
10 facts about Brian O'Driscoll
- ☘️ Full name: Brian Gerald O'Driscoll.
- 🎂 Born: 21 January 1979, in Dublin.
- 🏉 Ireland caps: 133 between 1999 and 2014.
- 🦁 Lions caps: Eight across four tours.
- 🏆 Grand Slam: Captained Ireland to their historic 2009 triumph.
- 🔥 International tries: Scored 46 for Ireland, a national record.
- 🎯 Six Nations record: Scored 26 Championship tries, more than any other player.
- 🇫🇷 Famous hat-trick: Scored three tries against France in Paris in 2000.
- 🏅 European success: Won three Heineken Cups with Leinster.
- 🌍 Hall of Fame: Inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016.
