Where is Springbok legend Os du Randt now?

Os du Randt is one of the most famed props to have ever played for the Springboks, earning a staggering 80 caps for the Springboks.

Injuries plagued the career of Du Randt at times, and yet his dedication saw him return time and again. He was part of the iconic 1995 World Cup-winning squad, and became the last active member playing into the professional era.

Remarkably, his final match was the 2007 World Cup final, where he bowed out a champion, securing a second World Cup victory for South Africa.

“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,” he reflected at the time after completing his incredible comeback. “To begin with a world title and to finish with another would be a real accomplishment, a memory that I will cherish forever.”

Beyond the international stage, Du Randt spent most of his domestic career with the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, with a brief stint at the Blue Bulls.

When questioned about his teammate, fellow Springbok prop CJ van der Linde aptly summed up his career, stating: “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.”

Springbok icon Os du Randt has made a success of his post-rugby retirement

Following his second – and final – retirement in 2007, Du Randt shared his expertise as a scrum coach. He briefly served at the Cheetahs and as a consultant with the Springboks under Peter de Villiers, helping shape the next generation of props.

He also shifted his focus away from rugby to work with former teammate Naka Drotske at TopTrim, a company that manufactures fitness and nutrition products.

Currently, though, he manages a chicken farm, having always been a passionate farmer.

Hall of Famer

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Du Randt, who is now 51 years old, was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2022.

“Du Randt, or ‘The Ox’ as he was nicknamed during his playing days, was sidelined through injury from 2000-03 but returned to the Springboks’ ranks against Ireland in Bloemfontein in June 2014, thus ending a five-year absence from the international arena,” the World Rugby organisation stated when he was inducted.

“The fact that he missed 46 matches during his time away makes Du Randt’s final tally of test caps all the more remarkable, and until being overtaken by John Smit in late 2008, the revered prop held the record as South Africa’s most-capped forward. Aside from his Rugby World Cup successes he was also able to get his hands on the Tri-Nations trophy in 2004, as well as enjoying a successful provincial and Super Rugby career in his native South Africa.”