Willie le Roux will move closer to becoming just the eighth player to reach the 100-Test mark for the Springboks this weekend.
Le Roux was named in coach Rassie Erasmus’s starting XV for Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks at the Cape Town Stadium.
Kick-off is at 17:00.
The 35-year-old veteran fullback has made 96th appearances in the green and gold jersey to date.
Le Roux, is bidding to become only the eighth player to reach the magical three-figure mark for South Africa and the fourth backline player to do so.
He was named in the starting team ahead of exciting 26-year-old Aphelele Fassi who played in the fullback jersey last weekend at Ellis Park.
SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST CENTURIONS
| Player | Tests | Tries |
| Victor Matfield | 127 | 7 |
| Eben Etzebeth * | 125 | 6 |
| Bryan Habana | 124 | 67 |
| Tendai Mtawarira | 117 | 2 |
| John Smit | 111 | 8 |
| Jean de Villiers | 109 | 27 |
| Percy Montgomery | 102 | 25 |
| Willie le Roux * | 96 | 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 65 of his Tests, lost 30 with one other ending in a draw for a win percentage of 67.7%.
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.
TEAMS
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Lukhanyo Am
New Zealand
15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Substitutes: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 FIXTURES AND RESULTS
The 2024 tournament will be contested over six rounds, with each country playing six matches – three at home and three away.
All times SA
Round 1 – August 10
Australia 7-33 South Africa, Brisbane
New Zealand 30-38 Argentina, Wellington
Round 2 – August 17
New Zealand 42-10 Argentina, Auckland
Australia 30-12 South Africa, Perth
Round 3 – August 31
South Africa 31-27 New Zealand, Johannesburg
Argentina 19-20 Australia, La Plata
Round 4 – September 7
South Africa vs New Zealand, Cape Town – 17:00
Argentina vs Australia, Santa Fe – 21:00
Round 5 – September 21
Australia vs New Zealand, Sydney – 07:45
Argentina vs South Africa, Santiago del Estero – 23:00
Round 6 – September 28
New Zealand vs Australia, Wellington – 09:05
South Africa vs Argentina, Mbombela – 17:00
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 | |
