Former England and British & Irish Lions captain Martin Johnson dug deep into the memory banks to come up with his all-time greatest XV.
The team, selected for Ruck.co.uk, includes two Springbok legends.
BACK THREE
Fullback: Serge Blanco (France)
Winger: Joe Roff (Australia)
Winger: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
CENTRES
Outside centre: Philippe Sella (France)
Inside centre: Danie Gerber (South Africa)
Johnson: “Scored a hat-trick against England in the first half in one match in the 1980s. He didn’t play many Tests because of apartheid, but he had power and pace. I don’t know if he could pass: it seemed like he never needed to. I played against him in a charity match in 1996 when he must have been well into his 40s, he was still awesome.”
HALFBACKS
Flyhalf: Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Scrumhalf: Gareth Edwards (Wales)
LOOSE FORWARDS
Blindside: Richard Hill (England)
Openside: Michael Jones (New Zealand)
No 8: Wayne Shelford (New Zealand)
LOCKS
Lock: Frik du Preez (South Africa)
Lock: Colin Meads (New Zealand)
Johnson: “Both Du Preez and Meads played in the 1960s but were very modern players. Meads was the greatest ever All Black; Frik was very quick and athletic. I wasn’t in their league.”
FRONT ROW
Loosehead: Jason Leonard (England)
Hooker: Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand)
Tighthead: Jean-Pierre Garuet (France)
Photo: Howard Boylan/Getty Images
The post Two Bok legends in Johnno’s all-time XV appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.