Rugby
John Goliath, Special to ESPN 6y

World Cup winners: The class of 2007 ... Where are they now?

Rugby

Ten years ago today the Springboks won their second Rugby World Cup by beating England 15-6 in the final. KweséESPN takes a look at the starting team's contribution in that final and checks out what they are up to now.

Fullback: Percy Montgomery

The former fullback, who scored 12 points in the final with his accurate left boot, is still hitting the gym hard and recently won the LifeSaving South Africa Celebrity Challenge in Camps Bay. Montgomery retired from international rugby in 2008 after playing 102 Tests for the Boks. He is still South Africa's record point-scorer with 893 points.

Right wing: JP Petersen

The rangy winger was only 22 at the time, but played a massive role in South Africa's march to glory. Besides his four tries in the tournament, Pietersen made a crucial tackle against Fiji in the quarters to see the Boks through. These days, though, the 31-year-old is getting smashed in the French Top 14 after moving from Leicester in England to Toulon.

Outside centre: Jaque Fourie

One of South Africa's best outside backs, since unity, hung up his boots earlier this year and is now looking to go into coaching as a defence consultant. He certainly has a knack for it, as he was in charge of coordinating the Bok backline's defensive effort. South Africa only conceded three tries in the knockout stages en route to the title. Fourie was also a great attacking talent.

Inside centre: Frans Steyn

The ultimate enigma, but probably one of the most talented rugby players to come out of South Africa. Made his debut earlier in 2007 on wing, and nailed two drop goals in a win against Australia. But he had to play at No 12 after Jean de Villiers got injured in the Boks' opening game and kicked a massive long-range penalty in the final. Steyn is currently playing in France and is still available for the Boks.

Left wing: Bryan Habana

Habana capped off the 2007 season by being crowned the World Rugby Player of the Year. The former Bulls and Stormers flyer was outstanding during the tournament, scoring eight tries in seven matches. The 34-year-old Habana is currently playing for French side Toulon, but hasn't formally announced his retirement from international rugby. He played his last Test for the Boks in 2016.

Flyhalf: Butch James

James was never mentioned in the same sentence as a Dan Carter or a Jonny Wilkinson, but he didn't put a foot wrong in the tournament, and was one of the Boks' unsung heroes. More known for his 'no-arms' tackles, the former Sharks man was tactically sound, while nobody in their right mind dared to run in his channel. These days James is a rugby pundit on South African television.

Scrumhalf: Fourie du Preez

Simply the best ... and a mile better than all the rest. While Habana walked away with the accolades, Du Preez got most of the praise. Du Preez almost single-handily demolished England in the group stages, and had a massive role in the playoffs. The scrumhalf played in two more World Cups for the Boks, but finished his career in Japan in 2016. These days Du Preez is spending most of his days on the golf course.

Eighthman: Danie Rossouw

The versatile Rossouw was moved to the back of the scrum before the tournament after Pierre Spies was ruled out because of health issues. The big bruiser didn't let White down and was outstanding throughout. He made the crucial tackle on Mark Cueto in the final. Nowadays he spends his time on a game farm, hunting and then entertaining tourists with cold beers.

Blindside flank: Juan Smith

The hard man of many good Springbok packs hung up his boots this week after one of the most remarkable comebacks in rugby. Smith retired for the first time four years ago because of a severe Achilles-tendon injury. But he came back to resume his rugby career with Toulon in France where he ended up winning numerous titles. He also played one more Test for the Boks in 2014. He ended his career while playing under White at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.

Openside flank: Schalk Burger

The Boks almost lost the indefatigable Burger for the playoffs after he was suspended for four matches for foul play. But the flank's sentence got reduced to two making him eligible for the playoffs. Burger played a lot more matches for the Boks, reinventing himself from a basher with no regard for his own well-being to a superbly skilful linkman. He is still playing for Saracens in England.

Lock: Victor Matfield

Matfield was voted the Player of the Final after a superb display of lineout jumping. Not only did the Bulls man win his own lineouts, but almost half of England's throw-ins in the showpiece match. Matfield went on to become the most-capped Springbok of all time with 127 Tests, and appeared at four rugby World Cups. He was recently appointed forwards coach at the Lions.

Lock: Bakkies Botha

Botha and Matfield formed one of the best lock combinations in the history of the game. Botha complemented Matfield's lineout genius and panache with a hard and uncompromising edge. If Botha tackled you, you normally took a few minutes to collect your thoughts. Botha played in three World Cup for the Boks, and finished his career with Toulon where he also won plenty of trophies. These days he is also enjoying his retirement farming.

Tighthead prop: CJ van der Linde

The Boks' scrum never moved backwards during the 2007 World Cup. Van der Linde was the silent assassin in the Bok pack, with his power and workrate coming to the fore in a big way, especially in the final. These days Van der Linde is trying his hand at coaching after signing as a scrum guru with the Pumas in the Currie Cup.

Hooker: John Smit

"Oh captain, my captain ..." Smit was the heart and soul of the Boks. The hooker was appointed in 2004 -- right at the start of White's tenure -- to try and lead the Boks to glory. The rest, as they say, is history. After the World Cup, Smith went on to lead the Boks to a series win over the British & Irish Lions and a Tri-Nations victory in 2009, when they beat New Zealand three times in a row. Smit was CEO of the Sharks, but has now entered the world of business.

Loosehead prop: Os du Randt

A South African legend. White persuaded Du Randt to come out of retirement and he was 35 years old by the time the World Cup came around. But he still ran around the field like he did 12 years earlier when he won the 1995 World Cup with the Boks on home soil. Chants of "OS! OS! OS!" rang out every time he made a big hit or carried the ball. Du Randt is currently back in South Africa after a stint in Japan as a scrum coach.

Coach: Jake White

A year before the World Cup, on the Boks' end-of-year tour, White was summoned back to South Africa to explain the team's poor performances in a dismal 2006. However, the coach stuck to his guns and convinced his bosses that his plan is coming together. And it did. The Boks' World Cup win was four years in the making, as White built a team and a structure to triumph in 2007. He has coached all around the world since leaving the Boks at the end of 2007.

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