I am delighted to place Moaner van Heerden among the Springbok legends. Here was a "toughie", a rough diamond. People used to maintain that he was a dirty player. I would say he was robust rather than dirty. I spoke to him after he had been selected to play for South Africa and said: "Moaner, cut out your nonsense - don't mix it."

He said: "Doc, if you ask me, I won't lift a hand, I won't lift a foot. I said: "That is what I want".

And he replied: "Doc, you have my word." And he kept his promise, despite a fair amount of provocation.

To have a man like Moaner on your side was to know that you were safe, safe in the line-outs as well as in other facets of forward play, because he was so strong. He was also fast, he could handle and he could burst through a stone wall when properly motivated.

He was a real character, and I admit having a special place for him in my heart.