South African XV who have adorned the Five/Six Nations
1 Pieter de Villiers (France)
Native of Malmsbury in the Western Cape. Made 31 appearances for France in the Six Nations between 2000 and 2007 and was a member of their Grand Slam-winning sides of 2002 and 2004. Won 69 caps in all and also played at the 1999 and 2007 World Cups. Escaped a formal ban in 2003 on a technicality after testing positive for cocaine and ecstasy following a European Cup game for Stade Francais against Harlequins but was dropped from the Six Nations team. Currently Scotland’s scrummaging coach.
2 Richardt Straus, above (Ireland)
Won an U19 World Championship with South Africa in 2005 and was a regular for the Free State Cheetahs from 2006-09 when, with no prospects of a Springbok cap at hooker, he signed a contract for Leinster where he went on to play 141 games over nine seasons. Qualified for Ireland in 2012 and made a total of 17 Test match appearances, including three in the Six Nations, although with Rory Best around starts were in short supply.
(Scotland) 3 WP Nel, above left
From Loeriesfontein – known for its flowers – in the Northern Cape, Nel was a slow burn as a player being cut by Western Province in 2008 and appearing occasionally for Boland before the Cheetahs came in with an offer in 2009 and his career took off with
46 Super Rugby appearances over four seasons. Moved to Edinburg in 2012 and qualified for Scotland three years later. 37 caps to date with 13 matches in the Six Nations.
4 Bernard Le Roux, below (France)
Born in Moorreesburg in the West Cape, the tall gangling Le Roux didn’t make a huge impression as a youngster back home for Border Buldogs although the Lions had expressed an interest at the same time as Racing needed a versatile forward for two months after an injury crisis. The adventurous teenager answered the call and lost his heart to France. 40 caps with 15 in the Six Nations.
5 Quintin Geldenhuys, left (Italy)
Underrated Italy lock – although never by opponents – who helped keep their pack competitive between 2009-16 during which time he won 67 caps including 29 in the Six Nations. Originally from Klerksdrop in the Northern Cape, Geldenhuys was a product of Monument High School and played half a dozen Currie Cup games for the Pumas before deciding to travel and play in Italy. Played eight seasons with Viadana and Aironi before becoming a stalwart member of the Zebre pack.
6 Josh Strauss (Scotland)
From the Cape Town suburb of Belleville and a graduate of Stellenbosch University, Strauss made his way in South Africa with the Boland Cavaliers and the Golden Lions before opting to try his luck in Scotland during a five-year stint with Glasgow Warriors before moving to Sale and then to Stade Francais. 24 caps to date including ten in the Six Nations.
7 Braam Steyn, left (Italy)
Arguably Italy’s most consistent forward over the last 3-4 years. Was a member of the 2012 South Africa Junior World Cup-winning squad along with Scotland’s Alan Dell and France’s Paul Willemse! From the Eastern Cape but a product of the Sharks Academy,