Rugby union news: Forgotten Springbok stars – Jan Serfontein
In this series, we look at those ex-Springboks who, although still active, have receded into obscurity despite their historical contributions remaining cherished memories for many fans.
First up is current Montpellier star and erstwhile Bulls centre Jan Serfontein, a former youth sensation who made his mark in the annals of World Rugby while wearing the green and gold of the Springboks during the mid-2010s.
Sports News Blitz/Film News Blitz writer and Springbok enthusiast Aidan Leo takes an in-depth look back at the career of one of South Africa’s greatest centres.
Abilities & attributes
Serfontein is known for combining the strength and power of a combative loose forward with the speed of an elusive outside back.
With rugby nous and physical ability to spare, he has been effective and influential at both inside and outside centre while also deputising on the wing when necessary.
His particular ratio of weight and strength to speed only comes around once every so often in pro athletes – that much pace on a 100kg frame is nothing to scoff at.
At international level, Serfontein’s notable assets were his defence and breakdown capabilities – rucking, stealing, and turnovers – which positioned him as an invaluable addition to the Springboks’ formidable forward pack.
He also had a rugby IQ well beyond his years that helped establish him as a guaranteed starter in his first few years with the national side.
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The early years
Born in what was then known as Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, Serfontein came through the ranks at two of South Africa’s most prestigious rugby schools: Grey High School (up to Grade 9) in his home town and Grey College in Bloemfontein.
In South Africa, having the work ethic and talent to make it at Grey College in the latter years of high school cements you within the mythical lore of the esteemed schoolboy rugby circuit.
Recognition from peers and contemporaries, as well as distinguished coaches, elevates you to become a separate entity entirely.
Serfontein’s outlook on the game of rugby and the way in which he translated his capabilities into action on the field were, even in those early years, something to behold.
Indeed, long before his schooling years were over, he was already penned as one of the future greats.
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2012 IRB Junior Player of the Year
After much success during his school years, Serfontein’s upward trajectory continued with his selection for the Junior Springboks at the IRB Junior World Championship in 2012.
He was a revelation, featuring as a commanding figure in both attack and defence as the team went on to claim a first-ever title by conquering bitter rivals New Zealand in the final.
In a side boasting future Springbok stars such as Handre Pollard, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Steven Kitshoff – names that have since blossomed into some of professional rugby’s all-time greatest players – Serfontein managed to stand out.
By virtue of his brilliant leadership and numerous critical interventions on the playing field, Serfontein later earned himself the IRB Junior Player of the Year award for 2012 – the first South African to be awarded the prestigious honour.
Serfontein was now an established young star, his name echoing across media outlets and radio stations, and the embrace of the wider South African rugby fandom beckoned.
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Super Rugby leads to Springbok call-up
Touted by the Blue Bulls at the tender age of 14, Serfontein eventually returned the favour and began his Super Rugby journey with the franchise.
Between 2013 and 2017, he made 60 appearances and delivered 17 tries for the Bulls, serving up plenty of noteworthy performances along the way.
Serfontein’s good form throughout the 2013 season would lead to Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer calling him up.
After debuting off the bench against Italy that year, Serfontein went on to make an admirable 35 Test appearances in the famous green and gold jersey, racking up a formidable winning record of 71%.
He also featured as a squad player at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, working alongside fellow youth sensations in Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel.
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Where is he now?
Since 2017, Serfontein has plied his trade in the French Top 14 with Montpellier.
Having become part of the furniture over there while only really featuring in player watchlists during Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok tenure, many wondered if the soon-to-be 32-year-old could ever make a return to the national set-up.
Although it would be unlikely, Erasmus has certainly done crazier things in his time.
In fact, the inclusion of rugby stalwart Deon Fourie for the title-winning 2023 World Cup campaign proved a pivotal piece of business for the Springboks that year.
Fans have also witnessed the surprising returns of Schalk Brits and Frans Steyn under Erasmus, both of whom performed essential leadership roles during the 2019 World Cup at a more advanced age than Serfontein is now.
As a result, while Serfontein’s Springbok comeback is unlikely, it is not impossible.
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Looking ahead
Erasmus is adamant that South African franchises need to build the foundations necessary to both funnel players towards the Springboks and keep the majority of the country’s rugby talent at home.
Of course, the challenge and financial reward of playing in Europe and Asia will always be appealing, and there is nothing Erasmus can do to change that, but he also knows this.
That is why he favours players spending their initial years as professionals with local franchises before then heading overseas to earn well and evolve.
Having already added to the credibility of South African rugby in the early part of their career, those plying their trade overseas would thus still be considered worthy of the Springboks.
Serfontein fits this mould perfectly, with a playing history spread across the Bulls at home and Montpellier in Europe.
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Where and how would he fit in?
The vastly experienced and outrageously successful De Allende and Kriel remain firm holders of the Springbok number 12 and 13 jerseys, respectively.
Backing them up is the World Cup–winning Sharks duo of Lukhanyo Am and Andre ‘The Giant’ Esterhuizen, the latter having plied his trade with English Premiership side Harlequins until recently.
Utility backs Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, both of the Stormers, can also slot into midfield berths, as can highly rated Sharks youngsters Jurenzo Julius and Ethan Hooker.
Considering the talent standing in his way, Serfontein would most likely be an experienced rotational piece if selected, one with a mandate to help nurture the youngsters.
His all-round ability and skill level is not, and has never been, in question.
Reports at the end of 2024 suggested that Serfontein’s time in France will come to an end when his contract expires in June and that a return to the Bulls is on the cards.
In a similar story, his Montpellier clubmate and two-time World Cup–winning scrum-half Cobus Reinach has signed with the Stormers for the 2025-26 season in the hopes of continuing his Springbok journey.
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The chances of Serfontein returning to the world stage
If I was a betting man, I would not know where to place my bet here.
It seems a case of realism vs idealism, the old adage of the heart saying one thing and the head another.
The heart believes that Serfontein’s return to the Springboks would be a phenomenal turn of events and possibly a masterstroke by Erasmus to deepen his backline depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
However, the head maintains that his return is unlikely if not impossible.
With such fierce competition in the squad and a number of stars rising through the ranks, Serfontein would have a peripheral role in the team at most.
One wonders if he would even consider such a role.
Regardless, Serfontein remains a Springbok legend in the eyes of many and one whose story is an uplifting lesson: you do not need to reach the heights of reverence in order to be considered great – aim for the moon and you might just fall amongst the stars.
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