Celebrate former Springbok centre De Wet Barry’s 47th birthday with a look back at a career defined by fearless defence and uncompromising physicality.

Barry earned 39 Test caps for South Africa between 2000 and 2006, during a period when he established himself as one of the toughest midfielders in world rugby. Renowned for his bone-rattling tackles and relentless work rate, the inside centre embodied the Springboks’ hard-edged identity during the early 2000s.

A key figure in the Bok resurgence under Jake White, Barry was part of the squad that won the 2004 Tri-Nations title and helped restore pride in the jersey. That year, he and Marius Joubert formed a formidable midfield pairing, starting 18 Tests together – their synergy forged through years of playing side-by-side in Cape Town.

Defensively, Barry was a master of the rush system, shutting down opposition attacks before they could gain momentum. On attack, he was more than just a battering ram – capable of putting teammates into space with smart distribution, or finding a gap himself with a strong carry or sharp angle.

At provincial/franchise level, Barry was a stalwart for Western Province and the Stormers, where his leadership and physicality made him a fan favourite. He made more than 150 appearances for both teams, with Currie Cup title wins for WP in 2000 and 2001.

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