The greatest South African rugby side of all time | All Access Springbok Special | RugbyPass

RugbyPass was lucky enough to speak to Springbok rugby legends Pierre Spies and John Smit as they recall their memories of The Lions Tour 2009 series. They recall the intense clashes that took part in that iconic series. They also tell us what The Spirit of Rugby means to them. In proud partnership with @thefamousgrouseuk #SpiritofRugby

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[marcusantonius]

John and Pierre: You won't get another chance to play the Lions.

Frans and Morne Steyn: are we a joke to you?

[LB_die_Kaapie]

I grew up on this team. Honestly my favourite side ever! Strong in every area of the game!

[mikezog]

The greatest SA side ever was the one playing at the RWC 2011 in NZ - the side that was blown out of the game against Australia by the NZ ref Bryce Lawrence when the next team they would face was NZ. Massive travesty as this team was legend.

[slau]

That 2009 Springboks team was pretty special. I remember they swept my All Blacks that year in the tri-nations.

[richardmatatahi]

Much respect to these's two greats, great test series that year, great interest Worldwide. especially in New Zealand. We could only draw the test series in 2017

[rkaylor]

The first team I ever saw was the All Blacks, the second was the Boks. I love them both (they’re fond of each other as well) but my heart skips a beat when the Boks triumph.

Having said that, that is the best Boks side I’ve seen, but the 2015 All Blacks was just a machine. Even Nigel Owens tipped his hat.

[lifeinperth]

Hey Jim, very refreshing to see you respect your old foe's and how you help create a positive brand for the Lions.

[TheMikethoth]

That was a hell of a test series. Huge respect to Smit, what a great captain. I think they probably owed us one for 1997. Congratulations to Pierre Spies on his journey.

[the_katman]

Great interview. What absolute legends these two are. That 2009 Lions tour was probably the most exciting, momentous sporting series I have ever watched, and not only because of the level of play. A lot had to do with the incredible intensity that both sets of supporters brought to each game, as well as the week in between off the field. Things really built towards that cauldron of energy on the Saturday. It's such a pity that this tour will miss all of that. Still going to be great though, but I would have loved to have the red army here too. Just like the Bok players, the SA fans live for that kind of clash.

[paulmulryne]

After some of the nonsense that’s been coming out of the SA media, it’s refreshing to listen to these two humble, proud legends. Great show👍🏻

[justninja]

Was at the game in durban loved it, Lions supporters were great .

[justinhawker]

Thanks for this series been really great to watch as we build up to a fantastic series

[Patrick]

TOP 5 RUGBY TEAMS OF ALL TIME

1/ NZ 1989
2/ British and Irish Lions 1974
3/ SA 1986
4/ NZ 2015
5/ SA 2009

[wayneandrews]

What an awesome video to watch on the lead up to this series. Great conversation between some pretty special guys.

[Me-exqg]

Great side. The Springboks are lucky to beat the All Blacks three times in a decade yet this team achieved that in one year.

[tiaancloete]

I wonder who would win a game between the 2009 boks and the 2023 boks assuming both teams are at their peak?

[ashishd]

This is why you never listen to journalists all South Africans respects the lions players journalists just talk crap

[Faust_ZA]

arguably the best 2 and 8 weve ever had

[josephvanwyk]

We miss Pierre Spies, the guy was Superman on the rugby field.

[Faust_ZA]

francois best kicker in rugby very underrated for the youngest world cup winner