South Africa has produced some truly brilliant scrum-halves over the years. But picking the best five? That's where things get tricky.

Joost van der Westhuizen, Fourie du Preez and Faf de Klerk all have a strong case for top spot. And there are a few big names who will feel hard done by.

We've ranked the five greatest Springboks scrum-halves of all time. Don't expect everyone to agree.

5. Ruan Pienaar

Springboks caps: 88World Cups won: 1 (2007)

Some fans might question this pick, but Pienaar deserves more credit than he gets.

He could play scrum-half, fly-half or full-back and rarely looked out of place. His kicking game was superb, while his calm head made him a valuable option for South Africa.

Pienaar won 88 caps and was part of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad.

Was he always the most exciting player to watch? Probably not. But you knew exactly what you were getting.

Quirky fact: His father, Gysie Pienaar, also played for the Springboks, winning 13 caps at full-back during the 1980s.

4. Ricky Januarie

Springboks caps: 47World Cups won: 1 (2007)

Now this one might raise a few eyebrows.

Januarie wasn't the most polished scrum-half South Africa ever produced. But he was tough, fearless and capable of moments of absolute brilliance.

Just ask the All Blacks.

His stunning solo try in Dunedin in 2008 helped the Springboks secure a famous 30-28 victory.

He also collected a World Cup winner's medal in 2007.

Would everyone have him fourth? Almost certainly not. But we're backing him.

Quirky fact: That famous try came at Carisbrook, nicknamed the 'House of Pain', where South Africa had not won a Test since 1998.

3. Faf de Klerk

World Cups won: 2 (2019, 2023)

Two World Cups. One enormous personality. And a scrum-half who never seemed to know when to stop running.

De Klerk has been absolutely vital to South Africa's recent success.

His box-kicking can drive opposition fans mad, but there's no denying how effective it has been.

Add his fearless tackling and constant chatter, and you've got a player opponents simply hate facing.

Some Springboks fans will have him at number one. We can understand why.

The double World Cup winner has also left the door open to another World Cup appearance.

Quirky fact: De Klerk famously celebrated the 2019 World Cup victory in South African flag-themed underwear. Prince Harry even walked in on the celebrations.

2. Fourie du Preez

Springboks caps: 76World Cups won: 1 (2007)

There is a very strong argument that Du Preez should be number one.

In fact, if we're judging purely on rugby intelligence, he might be the best scrum-half South Africa has ever produced.

He seemed to know what was going to happen before anyone else.

His passing was sharp, his kicking was outstanding and his decision-making was almost always spot on.

Du Preez helped South Africa win the 2007 World Cup and played a huge role in their 2009 British & Irish Lions series victory.

He wasn't the loudest player on the pitch. He didn't need to be.

Quirky fact: Du Preez was named South African Rugby Player of the Year three times, in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Not bad for a number nine.

1. Joost van der Westhuizen

Springboks caps: 89World Cups won: 1 (1995)

Was there ever really going to be anyone else?

Van der Westhuizen wasn't just a great scrum-half. He changed what people expected from the position.

At 6ft 2in, he was bigger than most of his rivals. But he also had the pace, power and skill to tear defences apart.

He scored 38 tries in 89 Tests and helped South Africa win the 1995 World Cup.

His famous tackle on Jonah Lomu in the final remains one of the defining moments of Springboks history.

He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015.

Du Preez might have been the smarter tactician. Faf might have won more trophies.

But for sheer impact, Joost gets our vote.

Quirky fact: Van der Westhuizen retired in 2003 as South Africa's leading Test try-scorer, despite spending his entire international career at scrum-half.

Honourable mentions

A few Springboks legends were unlucky to miss out.

Danie Craven was one of South Africa's first great scrum-halves, winning 16 caps between 1931 and 1938 before becoming one of rugby's most influential figures.

Dawie de Villiers captained the Springboks during the 1960s and was widely regarded as one of the finest scrum-halves of his generation.

Garth Wright also deserves a mention. He won 26 caps between 1986 and 1993 and played a key role in South Africa's return to international rugby.

Have we missed anyone? Let us know your top five.