COMMENT
It was a moment of simpatico 30 years in the making.
As Malcolm Marx crashed over the whitewash this past Saturday in the third Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, the burly hooker celebrated the maul-try by smashing his fist on the ground thrice.
Thirty years earlier, legendary All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick pounded the turf in a similar fashion after securing the first and thus far only All Blacks series victory over the Boks on South African soil. It was an iconic celebration, one that Marx emulated at FNB Stadium as a reminder of that defeat now rectified, and as a nod of appreciation, no doubt, to Fitzpatrick.
Although separated by three decades, the two hookers now share that moment, as well as being arguably the best hookers of their respective eras.
Fitzpatrick's leadership on the 1996 Tour of South Africa was instrumental in their series win, and he should have perhaps won more than the 1987 Rugby World Cup and two Tri-Nations titles during his illustrious playing career. For years, he has been considered the best hooker rugby union has ever produced, and it has been hard to argue against considering his stature as a captain and his abilities as a player.
South Africa have produced their fair share of great hookers, too — former captain John Smit is certainly up there as one of the best, while Bismarck du Plessis will be considered a favourite on many a list. Let us not forget the ‘Big Dog’ Bongi Mbonambi, who was at one time the best in the business in that jumper, too.
Nonetheless, Marx — to my mind — has eclipsed all of them, including the likes of Phil Kearns of Australia, the Pumas' Mario Ledesma, Keith Wood of Ireland, and his English counterpart Brian Moore. The current World Rugby Player of the Year is not only the best hooker the Boks have ever produced, Marx might just be the best No 2 rugby has ever seen; and, moreover one of the best rugby players ever period.
Marx is a man of few words, but what he lacks in expression by word of mouth, he makes up for with big talking points on the field.
During his early foray into Test rugby in the late 2010s, he was often criticised for his inaccuracy at the line-out, which many believed would lead to a short career in the Green and Gold. Now, 92 caps later, Marx is one of the stalwarts of this Bok team.
During the three Tests against New Zealand on South African soil this past month, he has been titanic, making turnovers, putting his body on the line, making plays, hitting his marks at both set-pieces, while projecting a formidable aura.
He just so happens to be the biggest bully in world rugby as well, which is no insult.
After one recent turnover, while shrugging off the dubious cleanout attempt of Luke Jacobson, Marx folded himself over a breakdown, stuck his mitts on the pill, and, immovable, wrestled for possession. He was rewarded with a penalty and stood up quietly — no verbal jab was required, no joyous outburst followed, but rather a quiet nod of approval after a job successfully completed, followed by a sarcastic salute that landed as much of a devastating blow on the opposition as any chirp.
Currently, Marx is one of the team’s leading try-scorers with 28 tries. He has scored more tries than Cheslin Kolbe (22), Kurt-Lee Arendse (26) and Jesse Kriel (25). Overall, only Jaque Fourie, Makazole Mapimpi, Joost van der Westhuizen, and Bryan Habana have scored more tries for the Boks. At Test level, he is the leading No 2 in that category.
As impressive as those feats are, his consistency, work rate, set-piece input and stature are unequalled by any other player at hooker. Indeed, there are very few players across the board who can claim to be his equal.
In an era where modern rugby demands continuous evolution, Marx stands as a colossal blend of old-school grit and modern athletic excellence. Thirty years on from Fitzpatrick’s iconic fist-pounding celebration, the gesture has come full circle — no longer a symbol of South African heartbreak, but a declaration of dominance by a front-row titan at the peak of his powers.
Marx’s legacy is no longer just about being the greatest hooker of his generation; it is about setting a new benchmark for every hooker who follows.
He is the GOAT. He is him.