Malcolm Marx’s game-winning try against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium was more than another dramatic chapter in rugby's greatest rivalry - it was a homecoming.
While international fans know him as a powerhouse Springboks hooker, his journey mirrors a unique map of Gauteng itself.
From his working-class roots in Germiston to the historic rugby grounds of King Edward VII School and the electric atmosphere of Soweto, Marx’s rise offers an unexpected itinerary, proving that the places shaping South Africa's sporting heroes are the very heart of its travel story.
Coming off the bench at FNB Stadium on September 5, he scored the try that helped South Africa beat the All Blacks 29-24 and take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
For visitors watching from the stands or following the match from abroad, Marx is one of the faces of modern South African rugby. But his story also offers another way to explore the country.
Start in Germiston
Marx was born in Germiston on the East Rand of Gauteng. Before the Springboks jersey, World Rugby recognition and international stadiums, this was home.
Germiston is part of a Gauteng landscape shaped by industry, railway history and working-class communities. It is not necessarily the first stop on a visitor's Johannesburg itinerary, which is exactly why it offers a different perspective of the province.
Travellers wanting to understand this side of Gauteng can explore the city's heritage and local character before continuing towards Johannesburg. Victoria Lake and the surrounding Germiston area offer a quieter counterpoint to the pace of the city.
Marx's story begins here, in a part of Gauteng that rarely appears in conventional luxury travel brochures but remains central to understanding the province.
From school rugby to the big league
The next stop is King Edward VII School in Houghton, Johannesburg, where Marx developed as a rugby player. He attended the school before progressing through provincial and professional rugby.
The school has a long sporting history and its old boys include notable South African sports figures. Marx is among the rugby players whose careers have carried the school's name far beyond Johannesburg.
For travellers, Houghton offers another side of Johannesburg. The area is known for established residential streets, mature trees and historic properties. A drive through the neighbourhood provides a glimpse into the city's older urban landscape.
While school grounds are not a conventional tourist attraction, the connection between schools and South African sport is significant. Rugby is often built on these grounds long before players walk into international stadiums.
The Lions connection
Marx's professional rise was closely connected to the Lions in Johannesburg. His development through the Golden Lions pathway eventually led to the Springboks and an international career that has included Rugby World Cup success.
That makes Ellis Park part of the wider Marx story.
The stadium in Doornfontein has been one of the major sporting landmarks in Johannesburg and remains an important stop for rugby travellers. Match day offers visitors an opportunity to experience a distinctly South African sporting culture where rugby, food and community come together around the stadium.
For someone visiting Johannesburg, attending a rugby match can reveal a city that is difficult to understand through conventional sightseeing alone.
Soweto and the Springboks experience
Marx's latest defining moment came at FNB Stadium in Soweto. The 87 000-capacity stadium hosted the third Test between South Africa and New Zealand, with the Springboks producing a second-half performance that secured a 29-24 victory. Marx crossed the line as South Africa took control of the contest.
FNB Stadium is more than a sports venue. It sits within a part of Johannesburg that carries deep political, cultural and musical significance.
A visit to Soweto can therefore extend well beyond rugby.
Tourists can explore sites connected to the country's history, experience township food and visit local businesses while gaining a better understanding of the communities surrounding one of South Africa's most recognisable stadiums.
Marx's journey provides an unexpected travel itinerary. The route shows how South African sporting identities are shaped by towns, schools, stadiums and communities.
He may now spend much of his professional life travelling between South Africa and Japan, but his sporting story remains rooted in Gauteng.
lutho.pasiya@nationalmg.co.za