Danie Gerber hailed by Frank Bunce as one of rugby’s greatest centres

Former All Black Frank Bunce has placed South African great Danie Gerber among the greatest centres in rugby history, praising the Springbok legend’s rare combination of size, speed, power and skill.

Bunce was speaking on The GoodBadRugby podcast alongside former New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall as they looked back on the All Blacks’ 27-24 victory over the Springboks in a 1992 Test at Ellis Park.

Gerber scored twice in that match, adding to a remarkable international record that saw him cross the line 19 times in 24 Tests for South Africa.

Bunce recalled watching video highlights of Gerber with his New Zealand midfield partner John Timu on the eve of the game.

“Myself and John Timu, we were rooming together, and the night before the game, they were playing all these highlights. And we sat there and just watched,” Bunce reflected.

“Just about everything was, and we were just looking at each other going, ‘look at this guy’.

“He would run over you, run through you, run around you, you know, everything.”

The comments underline the impact Gerber made on opponents, with Bunce describing a player who appeared capable of finding a way through any defensive situation.

Gerber’s physical presence was particularly striking for a centre, while his pace and ability with the ball made him difficult to contain. His performances earned him a reputation as one of South Africa’s most dangerous attacking players during his international career.

Marshall, who played at scrum-half for New Zealand, also expressed amazement at the qualities Gerber brought to the position.

“When you saw the size of him for a centre, the power and the speed and just his physicality and skillset as well, you went, ‘this guy, where is he? How has he been created?’”

The pair’s discussion came as New Zealand prepare to begin the Greatest Rivalry tour against the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday.

The All Blacks’ opening match of the tour will kick off at 19:00.

Gerber’s display against New Zealand in 1992 remains central to the memories shared by Bunce and Marshall, who faced the Springbok centre at a time when his blend of strength, acceleration and attacking instinct made him a formidable opponent.

For Bunce, the recollection of preparing to meet Gerber captures why the South African remains so highly regarded across the rugby world. Rather than relying on a single outstanding attribute, Gerber combined physical dominance with the pace to evade defenders and the skill to punish defensive mistakes.