South African rugby is mourning the death of Springbok great Joggie Jansen, who died aged 78 on Sunday morning, only hours after South Africa defeated the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium.
Jansen won 10 Test caps for the Springboks between 1970 and 1972 and became one of the most respected inside centres of his generation. His career was defined by more than his international record, however, with one tackle in particular ensuring his place in South African rugby folklore.
Born Joachim Scholtz Jansen in Griekwastad on 5 February 1948, he attended Hoerskool Griekwastad alongside his brother Eben. They remain the only two Springboks produced by the Northern Cape school.
Jansen made his international debut against New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on 25 July 1970. The All Blacks were regarded as one of the finest teams of the era and were widely known as the ‘Invincible’ All Blacks.
With the game finely balanced, New Zealand attacked down the blind side through Wayne Cottrell. Jansen timed his challenge perfectly, stopping the move and helping to turn the momentum in South Africa’s favour.
The Springboks eventually secured a 17-6 victory, giving Jansen an outstanding start to his Test career. The tackle quickly became the moment most closely associated with him and established his reputation as a powerful defender.
Yet Jansen’s game extended well beyond his ability to make a decisive challenge. He was also a composed and reliable all-round centre, capable of making an important contribution in attack.
He scored his only Test try in his second appearance for South Africa, again against New Zealand, at Newlands on 8 August 1970. The Springboks lost that match narrowly, 9-8, but recovered to win the third and fourth Tests of the series.
South Africa beat the All Blacks 14-3 in Port Elizabeth before completing a dramatic 20-17 success at Ellis Park.
Jansen was included in the Springbok squad that toured Australia in 1971 and started all three Tests against the Wallabies. South Africa completed a clean sweep, winning 19-11 in Sydney, 14-6 in Brisbane and 18-6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
That sequence of results underlined how quickly Jansen had become a trusted member of the national team.
His Test record also featured a two-match series against France in 1971. South Africa won the opening fixture 22-9 in Bloemfontein, while the second match in Durban ended in an 8-8 draw.
Jansen made his final Springbok appearance against England at Ellis Park on 3 June 1972. South Africa were beaten 18-9, bringing an end to an international career that had lasted two years and produced 10 caps and one try.
Although his time at Test level was relatively brief, Jansen’s standing in South African rugby endured. He was later placed 82nd in the South African Rugby Top 100, reflecting the influence he had during a celebrated period for the Springboks.
Some players are remembered for winning tries or decisive kicks. Jansen became a Springbok legend through a perfectly timed tackle against the All Blacks, while his wider career showed he was much more than a defensive specialist.
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