Willie le Roux stuck on 98 Springbok Test caps
Willie le Roux will have to wait at least another seven months – maybe longer – to become just the eighth Springbok to reach the 100-Test mark.
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The 35-year-old veteran fullback has made 98 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 945 players have pulled the famed green and gold jersey over their heads since 1891.
Le Roux played in the Springboks’ opening end-of-year Test against Scotland at Murrayfield, but was left out of the squad to face England six days later.
He was also overlooked for the Test against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, 23 November.
Aphelele Fassi will start in the No 15 jersey this weekend.
Le Roux will now need to wait until at least mid-year 2025 in order to join the select list of Springbok Test centurions.
Springbok team to face Wales
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Thomas du Toit
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Handre Pollard
SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST CENTURIONS
| Player | Tests | Tries |
| Eben Etzebeth * | 130 | 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 * | 98 | 15 |
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 67 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 – Springboks won 32-15
Saturday, 16 November vs England – Allianz Stadium, London – Springboks won 29-20
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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