Who is the oldest living Springbok?

Following the news of the passing of former Springbok hooker Jacobus Frederick Beatrix “Piston” van Wyk, we got thinking: ‘Who is the oldest living Springbok?’

The answer?

A true legend of South African rugby: Frik du Preez.

At 90 years and 255 days, Du Preez is currently the oldest living Springbok, a little over 16 months older than Avril Malan.

Rugby great

Frederick Christoffel Hendrik “Frik” du Preez was more than a rugby great.

The former Springbok lock and flank was a player whose skill, personality and influence transcended provincial rivalries, earning him an enduring place in South African sporting history.

Despite retiring from international rugby in 1971, Du Preez was named South Africa’s Rugby Player of the 20th Century, an extraordinary recognition of the impact he had made during his career.

His popularity stretched far beyond his Northern Transvaal roots. At a time when provincial rivalries dominated South African rugby, Du Preez was admired from Pretoria to Cape Town and by supporters around the world.

A player ahead of his time

Du Preez possessed an extraordinary range of skills, particularly considering his size.

He was a powerful presence in the lineout, had pace and impressive running ability, and was one of the most accomplished kickers of his generation.

His versatility was perhaps best illustrated by his ability to punt, drop-kick and place-kick with equal confidence.

One of his most famous moments came against the British Lions in 1968.

After peeling around the front of a lineout, Du Preez collected the ball near the touchline and accelerated towards the try line. He then produced a perfectly executed sidestep before diving over to complete a spectacular try from around 40 metres.

It was the type of moment that captured the imagination of rugby supporters and helped cement his legendary status.

More than just a rugby player

Du Preez’s influence extended beyond what he achieved on the field.

Former Springbok great and administrator Danie Craven regarded him as one of the personalities who helped shape South African rugby.

Craven described Du Preez as one of the great players and personalities who had provided direction to generations of South African rugby supporters.

That admiration was reflected decades later when Du Preez was honoured as the country’s Rugby Player of the Century.

Former Springbok coach André Markgraaff also highlighted Du Preez’s character, suggesting that the legendary player would have been an ideal fit for the professional era because he could have demonstrated to modern players the value of humility.

A decade in the green and gold

Du Preez made his Springbok debut against England in January 1961 and remained an international player for more than a decade.

His final appearance for South Africa came against Australia in August 1971.

During that period, he became one of the country’s most capped players, sharing the Springbok record of 38 Test appearances with another legendary Northern Transvaal figure, loose forward Jan Ellis.

His overall record was even more remarkable when his non-Test appearances are taken into account. Du Preez played 87 matches for South Africa and scored 87 points.

That longevity was particularly impressive given the far smaller international calendar of the era.

Unlike today’s professional game, southern hemisphere nations did not have an annual Rugby Championship-style competition and international teams played considerably fewer Tests.

A place among rugby’s immortals

Du Preez’s legacy is not confined to South Africa.

When the Rugby Hall of Fame was established in 1997, he was one of only two South Africans inducted in its inaugural class, alongside Craven.

The company he joined underlined his standing in world rugby.

That group included some of the game’s greatest names, among them Gareth Edwards, Colin Meads, Hugo Porta, JPR Williams, Mike Gibson and Willie John McBride.

For a player whose international career had ended more than two decades earlier, his inclusion was a powerful acknowledgement of his contribution to the sport.

A legacy that endures

Du Preez’s election as South Africa’s rugby player of the 20th century ultimately reflected more than statistics.

It recognised a player who combined strength, skill and versatility with an unmistakable personality.

He could dominate a lineout, sprint 40 metres to score a try and then produce a match-winning kick.

But perhaps most importantly, he became a figure admired across the traditional boundaries of South African rugby.

Decades after his retirement, Frik du Preez remains one of the enduring symbols of Springbok rugby – a player whose influence continues to be felt long after his final appearance in the green and gold.

Factfile: Frik du Preez