While Doc Craven is synonymous with Western Province, Maties as well as Springbok rugby, he was born in Lindley in the Free State. Du Preez is his turn is a Rustenburg-born Bulls legend, while Gerber did play for the Free State as well.

Craven, Du Preez and Gerber are three of only 14 South Africans inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. The late president, Nelson Mandela, is another South African who has been included in the sports international Hall of Fame.

The manager of the SA Hall of Fame at Sun City, Pieter van Rensburg, says other Springbok legends will be in attendance.

“We just thought that it's about time to acknowledge them in their own country," said Van Rensburg.

“It is a huge honour to induct them and honour them in their own country as well. Doc Danie Craven’s son will be in attendance to accept the accolade on behalf of his dad.

It’s a Rugby World Cup captains’ dinner, and then it will also be a dinner for the induction of three of South Africa’s rugby icons.

“Doc Danie Craven, Danie Gerber and Frik du Preez are going to be inducted and then we’ve got the World Cup captains, John Smit, Jean de Villiers, Corné Krige, Adriaan Richter and André Vos in attendance at the function as well.

“It is going to be a red carpet event, and I think that it’s going to be a huge event and just something special. I don’t think that there has been a rugby event like this in a long time.”

Gerber in his turn told OFM Sport that it is always receiving recognition for something done well, especially in an area when they played a lot fewer games compared to modern standards.

“It is always nice receiving the recognition for what we achieved, especially considering that back then we played a lot less rugby.

“We didn’t have the opportunity back then to play as much Test rugby as the guys do today, so it is nice that we were noticed.

While Gerber is known for running around, hitting gaps and scoring tries in the red-and-black hoops of Eastern Province rugby, he also played for the Free State for two years, and it is a time in his career he fondly remembers.

“I am very glad that I had those two years that I played for the Free State. I allowed me to play with incredible players such as Barry Wolmarans, Gysie Pienaar, Douglas Jeffery, Wouter Hugo, Ross van Reenen, and Gerrie Sonnekus but to name a few.

“I am very glad that I had that opportunity, and the type of rugby that they played is the type of rugby I liked and that I played.”

The function will take place in Pretoria on 16 August.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport