#3 Jonah Lomu — The Rugby Juggernaut

Winger | The Original Beast

Lomu was a wrecking ball on cleats. The giant who sprinted like lightning and left defenders grasping at air. If rugby had a superhero, Jonah was it.

Carter said:
“He was the toughest player. I played against him once, I was 19-year-old and tried to tackle him, kinda woke up five metres back. I actively stayed away from him after that. He changed the game of rugby.”

Lomu Legends (You Can’t Make This Stuff Up)

  • 120kg speed demon who could clock 10.8 seconds for 100m
  • Had his own McDonald’s burger (yes, really)
  • TIME magazine’s only rugby cover star
  • Leeds were reportedly keen to sign him in 2001
  • Played 63 tests for the All Blacks, scoring 37 tries
  • Helped New Zealand win the 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens

#2 Schalk Burger — The Human Bulldozer

Flanker | Springbok Steel

If you wanted a nightmare on the pitch, Schalk Burger was it. Known for punishing tackles and an iron will, he battled back from injuries that would have ended most careers.

Carter said:
“A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against. Probably the only player who scared me on the rugby pitch.”

Schalk Burger Facts (Toughness Overload)

  • Named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2004
  • Key player in South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning squad
  • Overcame a life-threatening infection in 2013 to return to top rugby
  • Played 86 tests for the Springboks between 2003–2016
  • Known for his brutal tackles and dominance at the breakdown

CONTINUES ON PAGE THREE

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