Andre-Hugo Venter will become the 16th and latest of a legendary list of players to follow in their father’s footsteps by becoming Springboks when he makes his debut on Saturday.
Venter has been named in the matchday-23 for the first-ever clash with Portugal in Bloemfontein, as one of seven debutants given their opportunity to shine by Rassie Erasmus.
When the DHL Stormers hooker does come off the bench, he and his father, former loose forward Andre Venter, will become the 16th father-son duo to represent the Springboks.
Andre Venter played 66 Tests for the Springboks between 1996 and 2001 and is still widely regarded as one of the toughest loose forwards to ever don the green and gold. He also started 23 Tests with Rassie Erasmus.
“It is great,” Erasmus said, after naming Venter on the bench for Saturday’s clash.
“Andre and I played almost 30 Test matches together as flankers. I think that’s where the trend started in South Africa, where we didn’t play as traditional openside and blindside. Nick Mallett put us at No 6 and No 7.
“I think it’s great for him, but it looks like it happens often. I don’t know how many guys’ fathers have played for the Springboks.”
The tradition stretches way back to 1953 when loosehead prop Harry Walker followed in his father, Alf’s, footsteps by making his Test debut against Australia. Alf Walker, a former lock/flank, played six Tests for South Africa between 1921 and 1926.
Some of the more famous names on the list are Felix du Plessis and Morne du Plessis, Louis and Uli Schmidt, Joggie Viljoen Senior and Junior, Hennie and Andries Bekker, Gysie and Ruan Pienaar, Schalk Burger and Schalk Junior, Jaco and Cobus Reinach and, most recently, Robert du Preez Senior and his three sons Robert Junior, Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez.
Full list of father-son Springboks:
Alf and Harry Walker
Mauritz and Derek van den Berg
CB and Mike Jennings
Felix and Morne du Plessis
Louis and Uli Schmidt
Joggie and Joggie Viljoen Junior
Moaner and Wikus van Heerden
Hennie and Andries Bekker
Gysie and Ruan Pienaar
Schalk and Schalk Burger Junior
Flippie and Flip van der Merwe
Jaco and Cobus Reinach
Robert and Robert Junior, Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez
Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Gallo Images
