Os du Randt

Jacobus Petrus "Os" du Randt (born 8 September 1972) is a South African former rugby union player. A loosehead prop, he retired as the most-capped forward in the history of the South Africa national team, and won two Rugby World Cups, in 1995 and 2007. He ended his career as one of the last remaining international players from the amateur era of the sport and the last active member of the 1995 World Cup-winning squad. His final match was the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, which the Springboks won, with Du Randt playing the entire 80 minutes. He is one of 43 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions.

For most of his career, he played in the Currie Cup for the Free State Cheetahs, though he spent one season with the Blue Bulls. In Super Rugby, he represented the Free State Cheetahs, the Cats, the Bulls and the Cheetahs.

In 2004, he received his 50th cap for the Springboks in a 32–16 loss to England at Twickenham. It was however, not to be a day to remember for him as, "du Randt was dismantled in the scrum, lock, stock and barrel, by England's Julian White". Droning chants of "Os...Os" have become commonplace at South African match venues since the big man made his return to Bok rugby.

And despite calls that he was getting too old, White persisted in selecting du Randt for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

Later career Following victories in pool play over England, Manu Samoa, and Tonga and a quarter-final win over Fiji and semi-final victory against Argentina, du Randt and his South African teammates found themselves in a rematch against defending champions England in the final. The favoured Springboks dethroned England 15–6 in a hard-fought final, with Os playing all 80 minutes which included one bullocking run in the first half.

Du Randt was the last active member of the South African 1995 Rugby World Cup-winning squad and retired as South Africa's third most-capped player ever and most-capped forward. He missed the 2003 tournament through injury, but he came back to help lead the Springboks to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

When interviewed, du Randt said "I would have to say that I never thought I would bow out in a World Cup final, when I called it a day in 2000. To begin with a world title and to finish with another would be a real accomplishment, a memory that I will cherish for ever. I dedicate this to my best friend, Alex."

When questioned about his teammate, fellow Springbok prop CJ van der Linde said "Os is a legend in South African rugby. Even little children know who he is. His name will be mentioned for many years still," Van der Linde said. "We do not realise what impact he makes. One day, when he is old, we will know what great work he did for South Africa and what a leader he was."

Following the victory in the 2007 Rugby World Cup final, Os announced his international retirement from the Springboks.

Du Randt returned to the sport for the 2009 Currie Cup season as a scrum coach for the Free State Cheetahs. In 2010, he took on the same position with the Springboks.

International statistics

Test match record

Test tries (5) Tries Opposition Location Venue Competition Date Result 1 Cape Town, South Africa Newlands 1996 Tri Nations 1 Cape Town, South Africa Newlands Test match 1 Brisbane, Australia Suncorp Stadium 1997 Tri Nations 1 Bologna, Italy Dall'Ara Stadium Test match 1 Cape Town, South Africa Newlands Test match

World Cup matches Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place No. Date Opposition Venue Stage Position Tries Result 1995 1. 25 May 1995 Newlands, Cape Town Pool match Loosehead prop 2. 10 Jun 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg Quarter-final Loosehead prop 3. 17 Jun 1995 Kings Park, Durban Semi-final Loosehead prop 4. 24 Jun 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg Final Loosehead prop 1999 5. 3 Oct 1999 Murrayfield, Edinburgh Pool match Loosehead prop 6. 10 Oct 1999 Murrayfield, Edinburgh Pool match Substitute 7. 15 Oct 1999 Hampden Park, Glasgow Pool match Loosehead prop 8. 24 Oct 1999 Stade de France, Paris Quarter-final Loosehead prop 9. 30 Oct 1999 Twickenham, London Semi-final Loosehead prop 10. 4 Nov 1999 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Third place play-off Loosehead prop 2007 11. 9 Sep 2007 Parc des Princes, Paris Pool match Loosehead prop 12. 14 Sep 2007 Stade de France, Paris Pool match Loosehead prop 13. 30 Sep 2007 Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Pool match Loosehead prop 14. 7 Oct 2007 Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Quarter-final Loosehead prop 15. 14 Oct 2007 Stade de France, Paris Semi-final Loosehead prop 16. 20 Oct 2007 Stade de France, Paris Final Loosehead prop

Honors In 2019, World Rugby inducted Du Randt to its Hall of Fame, alongside Richie McCaw, Shiggy Konno, Peter Fatialofa, Graham Henry, and Diego Ormaechea.