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Willie le Roux a step closer to Springbok Test centurion club
Willie le Roux could move a step closer to becoming just the eighth player to reach the 100-Test mark for the Springboks on Saturday in Pretoria.
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 player to reach the magical three-figure mark for South Africa 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 was on Tuesday named among the substitutes in Rassie Erasmus's team to face Italy at Loftus Versfeld.
Should he called upon – as is likely to be the case – he will pick up his 99th cap.
That would leave him set to make his 100th appearance the following weekend in the second Test against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. Player Tests Tries Eben Etzebeth * 131 7 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 * denotes still playing
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. 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
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