Willie le Roux will have to wait a while longer to become just the eighth Springbok to reach the 100-Test mark.
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 944 players have pulled the famed green and gold jersey over their heads since 1891.
However, Le Roux was left out of Rassie Erasmus’s 23-man squad to take on England at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday.
Aphelele Fassi will start in the No 15 jersey this weekend.
Le Roux, who played the full 80 minutes against Scotland last weekend, needed to play a part in both the Springboks’ two remaining end-of-year tour matches in order to reach the 100-Test mark.
He will now need to wait until at least mid-year 2025 in order to do so.
Springbok team to face England
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 RG Snyman, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am
SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST CENTURIONS
| Player | Tests | Tries |
| Eben Etzebeth * | 129 | 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 – 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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