Springboks 2007 World Cup stars: Where are they now?

It's been over a decade since South Africa last tasted World Cup glory, with their 15-6 triumph at the Stade de France in Paris eclipsing the feats of the world champion class of 1995.

In just four days' time, they will be tasked with replicating their success in Yokohama, as they come up against England in the 2019 final, the same opponents they dispatched in the French capital 12 years ago.

In honour of the repeat fixture set to take place on rugby's grandest stage, we look at where the Springboks match-day squad of 2007 have ended up in the ensuing years as Rassie Erasmus' side prepare to clinch their third world title.

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1) Os du Randt

Retired from rugby following the 2007 World Cup success, becoming the first South African to win two world titles. Had coaching stints with the Cheetahs and Springboks in 2009 and 2010, but is now involved in TopTrim, a company which manufactures fitness and nutrition products and encourages active lifestyles. Will be one of six new inductees into the World Rugby Hall of Fame next month.

2) John Smit 

Captain of the victorious 2007 team, Smit hung up his boots in 2013 while playing for Premiership side Saracens. Was immediately appointed chief executive of his former Super Rugby club, the Sharks, a position which he held until mid-2016. Is now CEO of security and maintenance company SSG Holdings.

3) CJ van der Linde

Ended his 14-season career at Montpellier four years ago, but remained in the south of France as a scrum coach. Was supposed to take up the position of forwards coach with Currie Cup side Griquas at the beginning of this year, but instead signed a full-time role as scrum coach of the Canon Eagles in the Japanese Top League after having previously done consultancy work for them.

4) Bakkies Botha

One of the game’s genuine enforcers called time on his playing career in 2015 while plying his trade in the Top 14 with Toulon, where he became the first player to win a hat-trick of Super Rugby and European club titles. Now back in Pretoria, where he runs a butcher shop called Bakkies The Butcher.

5) Victor Matfield

A modern-day great of the game, Matfield announced his retirement from the game following the 2011 World Cup. Worked as a television presenter and as a lineout consultant for the Bulls in 2012 and 2013, but came out of retirement to sign a two-year deal with the club at the beginning of 2014. Eventually hung up his boots for a second time following the 2015 World Cup, ending his 127-test career in England with Northampton. Pulled out of the race to become Bulls head coach late last year, instead focusing on his role as a pundit for SuperSport.

6) Schalk Burger

One of the few players of the 2007 cohort to still be playing professionally. That may not be the case anymore, though, as Burger pulled the pin on his time with English and European club champions Saracens at the end of the 2018/19 season to return to South Africa. The 86-test veteran hasn't yet indicated if he will continue his decorated 17-season career next year.