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Cape Town - For all of the hype, and it never got bigger than at the 1995 World Cup final, Jonah Lomu never scored a try against the Springboks.
But that didn't change a thing in terms of how much the men in green and gold respected the man credited with almost single-handedly pulling world rugby into the professional era.
That much was clear when Boks - past and present - reacted to the tragic news that Lomu had passed away aged 40 after a long battle with kidney disease.
Lomu played in 63 Tests between 1994 and 2002, scoring 37 tries along the way.
He is the leading World Cup try scorer in the tournament's history with 15, though that number was equaled by South African Bryan Habana at the 2015 showpiece in England.
Here's what some of the Boks had to say:
Difficult to write with eyes full of tears on my eye tracker. Thank you for EVERYTHING Jonah. RIP my dear friend!
— Joostvdwesthuizen (@9Joost) November 18, 2015We will never forget. You inspired a generation. #jonahlomu #legend https://t.co/17oCETya2X
— Lwazi Mvovo (@lwazimvovo) November 18, 2015Fortunate to have shared the pitch with him and enjoyed time off it with him too. #gutted https://t.co/02tSNJPqBy
— Andre Snyman (@RaptorsCoach) November 18, 2015#RIPJonahLomu The greatest player to play the game!!! Prayers & condolences to the Lomu family. #MyHero #Legend pic.twitter.com/IRGfLaiicj
— JP Pietersen (@jppietersen14) November 18, 2015His on field fearlessness was matched by his off field humility. So sad… https://t.co/NMa4ZSBhu5
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) November 18, 2015Waking up to news of Jonah's passing is devastating.I loved watching him,playing against him & knowing him.My prayers are with his family.
— John Smit (@JohnSmit123) November 18, 2015Deeply saddened to hear of @JONAHTALILOMU passing. Rugby's first true global icon/legend. A true gentleman & nice guy! #RIPJonah
— Joel Stransky (@stranners) November 18, 2015RIP Jonah Lomu, until we meet again.
— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) November 18, 2015You were the ultimate legend of rugby. The ultimate player on the field & the gentle giant off the field. My condolences to his family. RIP
— Chester Williams (@chestermw11) November 18, 2015The World lost an Icon!A Gentle Giant who was loved globally!Condolences to his family and friends,sad day#RIPJonah pic.twitter.com/tIGetL38D1
— Breyton Paulse (@BreytonPaulse) November 18, 2015RIP Jonah , one of the great ever... thoughts with family ???? #lomumagic
— Jesse Kriel (@JesseKriel15) November 18, 2015Só sad to hear about Jono.What a legend and giant gentleman of rugby!!! My sincere condolences to Jono' family.
— Andre Joubert (@15Jouba) November 18, 2015A sad day indeed - what an incredible impact on the game we all love, on and more recently off the field. #RIPJonah
— Bob Skinstad (@BobSkinstad) November 18, 2015You were a hero to so many of us back in South Africa RIP #JonahLomu https://t.co/jZcTPv2isj
— Gurthro Steenkamp (@gurthro) November 18, 2015Such sad news #JonahLomu the man who changed the game single handedly!RIP legend you'll never be forgotten.praying for his family!
— Gio Aplon (@1GioAplon) November 18, 2015RIP Jonah you where one of the greatest players ever. Thoughts and prayers for the family.#AllBlacks #hero
— Pedrie Wannenburg (@Pedrie6) November 18, 2015RIP Jonah Lomu. An inspiration and role model to many like myself growing up. #RIP https://t.co/JZdt4Z1tqq
— Werner Kruger (@kruger_werner) November 18, 2015
