Willie le Roux on track to join Springbok Test centurion club

Willie le Roux remains on track to become just the eighth Springbok to reach the 100-Test mark on the team’s upcoming end-of-year tour.

The 35-year-old veteran fullback has made 97 appearances in the green and gold jersey to date.

Le Roux, is bidding to become just the eighth South African to reach the magical three-figure mark – and the fourth backline player to do so.

It’s worth remembering that 944 players have pulled the famed green and gold jersey over their heads since 1891.

Le Roux was on Friday named in Rassie Erasmus’s starting XV to face Scotland in the first of the Springboks’ three end-of-year Tests at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

Springbok team to face Scotland

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Grant Williams

Le Roux will need to be selected in the starting XV – or come off the bench – in the remaining Tests to join the below Test centurions list:

SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST CENTURIONS

Player	Tests	Tries
Eben Etzebeth *	128	6
Victor Matfield	127	7
Bryan Habana	124	67
Tendai Mtawarira	117	2
John Smit	111	8
Jean de Villiers	109	27
Percy Montgomery	102	25
Willie le Roux *	97	15

* denotes still playing

Willie le Roux is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner

Le Roux, who was born in Stellenbosch and attended famed Paul Roos Gymnasium, turned 35 on 18 August 2024.

He made his Test debut on 8 June 2013 against Italy at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban and has scored 15 tries to date.

Le Roux has won 66 of his Tests, lost 30 with one other ending in a draw for a win percentage of 68%.

He made his provincial debut for Boland Cavaliers and has also represented Griquas, Free State Cheetahs, Sharks and Blue Bulls in South Africa, as well as Wasps (England) and Canon Eagles and Toyota Verblitz (both Japan).

Le Roux is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner having been part of both the 2019 and 2023 Webb Ellis Cup-winning Springbok squads.

SPRINGBOKS’ END-OF-YEAR FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Sunday, 10 November vs Scotland – Murrayfield, Edinburgh – 18:10 (SA time)

Saturday, 16 November vs England – Allianz Stadium, London – 19:40 (SA time)

Saturday, 23 November vs Wales – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 19:40 (SA time)

BIO: WILLIE LE ROUX

Full name: Willem Jacobus le Roux
Date of birth: 18 August 1989
Place of birth: Stellenbosch
Schools: Strand, Paul Roos Gymnasium
Springbok No: #848
Physical: 1.86m, 90kg
Current age: 35

When will Willie le Roux join the 100-Test Springbok club?

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