Former Toulon players Bryan Habana, Bakkies Botha, Juan Smith, Danie Rossouw and Joe van Niekerk. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images
Joe van Niekerk was cheered on by former and current Springboks as the 52-Test-capped No 8 was inducted into French giants Toulon’s Hall of Fame.
Van Niekerk, who won three consecutive Champions Cups with the Top 14 club in 2013, 2014 and 2015, was honoured at a star-studded ceremony at the Zenith de Toulon arena on Tuesday.
His former Bok and Toulon teammates Bryan Habana and Bakkies Botha, with current star Cheslin Kolbe, were in attendance.
“Wow!! What a great honour … I am aware of the incredible moment that the induction into the Hall of Fame represents. It is something really unique in France,” the 42-year-old posted on Instagram.
“It was a dream for me to be part of this legacy, to give our blood, our sweat and our tears for this organisation @rctofficiel. I learned a lot during my time in Toulon: how to overcome adversity, how to become a better human being, how to best serve and support my team and how to speak better French or Frangles.”
This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission. For the original story click here.
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