Mulder’s international career spanned from 1994-2001 during which he won 34 Tests and scored six tries. He made his Springbok debut in the 13-9 defeat to the All Blacks in Wellington on July 23, 1994 and scored his first try in his third Test in the 34-10 win over Scotland at Murrayfield in that year.

By 1995, he had established himself as South Africa’s first choice outside centre and formed a reliable midfield combination with Hennie le Roux. Mulder was the battering ram of the two who softened up opposing backlines with his powerful straight running.

Mulder solidified his reputation as a hard-hitting defender in the final of the 1995 World Cup when he single-handedly smashed the then deemed unstoppable giant All Black winger Jonah Lomu into touch. That bone-crushing hit would be the defining moment of Mulder’s career.

He went on to play against the British & Irish Lions in 1997 but missed out on the Springboks’ successful Tri-Nations campaign the following year as well as the 1999 World Cup. He played his final Test against Italy in Port Elizabeth on June 30, 2001, which the Boks won 60-14.

Mulder comes from a famous Eastern Transvaal rugby family. His dad, Koos, played on the wing in the ‘72 Currie Cup final, his eldest uncle Boet was a Springbok in the 65 side while the younger brother, also Japie played at centre for the Red Devils.

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