Several Springbok players are on the verge of achieving 100 Test caps, potentially reaching this significant milestone in the coming years. The Springboks are gearing up for an action-packed 2024 Test season, with 12 matches already on the calendar, and an additional end-of-year game against France anticipated to join the lineup. As we approach the new Test season, starting with a June match against Wales, it’s interesting to see which current Springbok players are close to hitting significant career milestones. Veteran fullback Willie le Roux, who entered the 2023 World Cup with 93 career caps, is almost guaranteed to enter the Springboks’ centurion club this year. He would be the eighth Springbok to exceed 100 Test caps, joining the ranks of Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Eben Etzebeth, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers, and Percy Montgomery. WHO ELSE MIGHT JOIN LE ROUX IN THE 100 TEST CAPS CLUB? While Le Roux is poised to reach this milestone in 2024, there are four other players who could soon follow suit. Captain Siya Kolisi, with 83 Test caps, and having pledged to continue his international career post-World Cup, could enter the ‘100 Test caps club’ as early as next year. Steven Kitshoff, also with 83 caps, alongside Damian de Allende (78) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (76), are also on track to hit the century mark in the foreseeable future. In a recent media briefing, coach Rassie Erasmus discussed how player roadmaps are being developed, with a focus on the upcoming milestones for some of the team’s veteran members. “We have a clear plan for which players we believe can contribute for another year, assigning them specific roles to mentor the younger players before they leave and potentially reach their 100th Test match or other significant milestones. “They are still performing at a high level, and we certainly won’t be taking risks against Ireland, who are ranked second in the world and whom we haven’t defeated since 2016. “The last result we had against them, or the first one under my tenure as coach, was something like 39-3, so we are aiming to correct that.”
