Johannes Jacobus “Hannes” Strydom was a prominent South African rugby union player, best known for
playing for the South Africa national rugby union team that lifted the World Cup in a historic victory a
year after the end of apartheid in 1995. Strydom’s career began in 1983 where he represented the
Eastern Province Schools team. It was not until 1989 that he represented Northern Transvaal that later
became the Golden Lions. Strydom made his debut for the Springboks in 1993, and helped defea... moreJohannes Jacobus “Hannes” Strydom was a prominent South African rugby union player, best known for
playing for the South Africa national rugby union team that lifted the World Cup in a historic victory a
year after the end of apartheid in 1995. Strydom’s career began in 1983 where he represented the
Eastern Province Schools team. It was not until 1989 that he represented Northern Transvaal that later
became the Golden Lions. Strydom made his debut for the Springboks in 1993, and helped defeat arch-
rivals New Zealand 15-12 in the 1995 World Cup final in Johannesburg, the biggest sporting event in
South Africa after the end of apartheid. He ended his Springbok career in 1997 after playing in the
British and Irish Lions series after earning 21 Springbok caps in his career between 1993 and 1997.
Strydom also captained the Lions team that hoisted the local Currie Cup trophy in 1999. He made 115
appearances for the team between 1993 and 2000. Outside rugby, Strydom worked as a pharmacist in
the capital, Pretoria, and started pharmacy chain Pharma Valu after hanging up his boots. Hannes
Strydom’s impact on South African rugby extended beyond his playing days, as he continued to inspire
future generations of rugby players.
