Danie Gerber had deceptive speed. People remember him for his swerves and footwork, and his great reading of the game, but if you watch his highlights reels here on YouTube, the one thing that stands out is how many quick wings he left for dead. He was proper fast for such a big guy.

We all wanted to be Danie Gerber when we were kids.

Cheslyn did the same against New Zealand in the last world cup.
Kolbe is a world cup thief.  I just love that guy.
Our bok team overall is a marvel. Thanks to the team management.
We love you guys! You rock! rock! Rock!🎉🎉🎉❤❤

Habana's greatness was his repeatability in a game. He could keep doing it from anywhere on the field at anytime in the game regardless of fatigue.
The guy was an absolute Roo Dog when it came to energy. He simply never got tired.
I would be very interested to know what Breyton Paulse was capable of at his best because he was dynamite in terms of speed when he was younger.

Danni Gherber had the necessary speed and power to run through anything in front of him.

Such a pity that so much of his game was never seen outside of SA.

Tonderai Chavhanga looked like a proper 100m sprinter when he ran. I will never forget that try he scored for the Stormers against the Chiefs, where he just sliced through the line and left everyone for dead. Incredible speed. If I remember correctly, he used to compete in age-group sprinting in Zimbabwe alongside Takudzwa Ngwenya, who went on to play for the USA and was also crazy fast.

Sitting here in Spain and anything pertaining to Boks catches my eye and i thought of Gerry Gemíshuys spelling?? In my time, love to know what speeds he reached. Another thing that caught my eye was Peter Stemmet saying to myself hey you’re not Peter cause his my brother and looks different and older too.

A guy who no one rembers to rate is centre Andre Snyman. He was seriously quick. Prime Pierre Spies too

Thanks for the interesting video! My surprise came right at the start, a great memory reflecting on the Richard Burns try. Pace packaged with strength.

You chose the most memorable Kolbe moment, but there was off course that other worthy mention which did not involve a try, namely the blocked goal kick in the RWC semi final against France. That was serious speed right from the line, causing many to doubt, initially, whether it was even possible to run that fast if he did start behind the line. (It was, because it was Kolbe).

As it turned out, the two points prevented in that action were needed to clinch the match and stay in the tournament.

What do I think? It was brilliant presentation that kept me nailed to the tip of my chair until number 1. Front Row Rugby setting the pace when it come rugby commentary - and I watch a lot of them. Well Peter!

Richard Bands try against AB's - One of my all time favorites

Thank you, I enjoyed that! But you've missed out on Deon Oosthuysen. At a charity event, he was clocked 10.30.

I would reckon Jaco Reinach to be the fastest over 100m - it's a proven fact that the times around the early 80's were hand-clocked averaged, and that times significantly 'improved'  when electronic clocking was introduced. Also : The 40 m sprint, on a rugbyfield (grass), with rugby gear (togs) from a standstill, is arguably also a major marker in rugby, and Bryan Habana (around 4 sec) was way ahead of the pack.

In rugby you also need quick off the mark acceleration and not only sheer speed over 100 meters.

Players like Cheslin Kolbe and Gio Aplon seem to get to their top speed over less that 10 meters where other fast players need 30 to 40 meters.

If you are fast off the mark, even if you have a 10.6 sec 100 meter time, the opposition will most probably not catch you.

I remember some years ago in a game between the Cheetah’s and Province where Cornal Hendricks managed to run a flying  Cheslin Kolbe in from behind and stopped a sure try with a great tackle.

That day acceleration did not trump sheer speed.

You missed Andy van der Watt with a time of 10.4. He played for SA in 1969 - 1975

Just love your presentation

I'm an DDD supporter all the way, live in Johannesburg would like to know when the ticket's for the fight will be advertised. If you going to fight Dakota bring a helmet and body armour. Maybe then you will survive.

A great video and all very interesting especially considering that I was a young chap when Paul Nash ran 10.0 for the 100 meters back in the mid-to-late 60's

You forgot about Andy Van der Watt. He had blistering speed.

Also - I remember Paul Nash set the SA record on a cinder track in Paarl at 10.00 - wonder how that would have looked on tartan!