Stransky and Brooke lead World Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Joel Stransky and Zinzan Brooke have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame as the first two members of the Class of 2026.

The former Springbok fly-half and All Blacks number eight were honoured at a special dinner in Cape Town on Thursday, ahead of the second Test in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between South Africa and New Zealand.

Both men helped their countries win the Rugby World Cup on home soil. Brooke was part of New Zealand’s victorious team at the inaugural tournament in 1987, while Stransky played a decisive role in South Africa’s success in 1995.

The pair also faced one another in the most recent Test series between the two nations, 30 years ago.

Stransky remains closely associated with one of the defining moments in Springbok history. He scored all of South Africa’s points in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, including the drop goal in extra time which secured a 15-12 victory over New Zealand at Ellis Park.

That kick cemented his place in South African rugby folklore and was followed by the iconic image of Nelson Mandela wearing a Springbok jersey alongside captain Francois Pienaar as the country celebrated its first World Cup triumph.

Stransky won 22 Test caps for South Africa between 1993 and 1996. He scored six tries and accumulated 240 points while wearing the green and gold jersey.

Brooke was also a key figure in New Zealand’s rugby history and was known for bringing the skills and imagination of a back to the number eight position. He famously kicked a long-range drop goal during the All Blacks’ 1995 World Cup semi-final against England.

Across a 12-year international career, Brooke started 54 of his 58 Tests for New Zealand. World Rugby described him as a player with genuine “X-factor”, combining the power expected of a back-row forward with the abilities of a back.

The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to rugby throughout their careers and demonstrated the sport’s values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect.

The other five members of the Class of 2026 will be announced on Monday, 7 September. Their induction will take the total number of Hall of Fame members to 182 since the honour was established in 2006.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson congratulated Stransky and Brooke, saying: “On behalf of the global rugby family, I would like to congratulate Joel and Zinzan, two players I had the privilege of playing against, on their richly deserved inductions into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

“Joel’s name will forever be linked with one of rugby’s most powerful and unifying moments, his winning drop goal at Ellis Park in the Rugby World Cup 1995 final giving us the iconic image of Nelson Mandela in a Springbok jersey alongside captain Francois Pienaar as a nation came together.

“Zinzan, himself a Rugby World Cup winner in 1987, challenged what people thought a forward could be with his skill and imagination, from his commanding presence at number eight to that unforgettable drop goal from distance in 1995.

“I also look forward to welcoming the rest of the class of 2026 to the Hall of Fame.”

John Eales, chair of the Hall of Fame panel and himself a Hall of Fame inductee, said the new members represented “the very best of our sport”.

“This year’s inductees represent the very best of our sport with extraordinary talent matched by humility, leadership and an unwavering commitment to rugby’s values. From World Cup-winning moments etched in history to the quiet, tireless work many have done to grow and champion the game long after their playing days, each of them has shaped rugby for the better. On behalf of the Hall of Fame, I warmly welcome them into the fold.”