Why this John Smit Springbok Test record will NEVER be broken

They say records are made to be broken, but there are some that are certainly more difficult than others. Like THIS one …

Records are made to be broken, they say, but there are some that are more difficult than others - and others simply impossible. Image: SA Rugby

They say records are made to be broken, but there are some that are certainly more difficult than others.

And then there are a handful that are simply impossible.

Due to the increased importance of rotating squads and the resting of players for Tests against ‘weaker’ opposition, the Springbok record for “most consecutive Tests played” is unlikely to be broken in my lifetime – or yours.

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The current Springbok record for ‘most consecutive Tests played’ stands at 46 and is held by former skipper John Smit.

Smit played 46 consecutive Tests between a Rugby World Cup match against Uruguay in Perth on 11 October 2003 and a Tri-Nations clash against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town on 16 June 2007.

Gary Teichmann is next best with 39 between 2 July 1996 and 11 June 1999.

In more recent times, Steven Kitshoff played 37 consecutive Tests between 25 June 2016 and 24 November 2018.

Forwards over the years have typically played more consecutive Tests for South Africa with only two backline players featuring in the Top 10 list.

They are Morne Steyn with 29 Tests (in seventh place) between 12 June 2010 and 15 September 2012 and Willie le Roux (tied for eighth with 28 Tests) between 8 June 2013 and 8 August 2015.

Longest current active streak

Of the current crop of Springboks, the player with the longest active streak is Elrigh Louw with 10.

Louw was a reserve against Portugal in the final mid-year Test in 2024 and then started both away Rugby Championship matches against the Wallabies at No 8.

He then came off the bench against the All Blacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as against Argentina in Santiago and against the Pumas in Mbombela.

He then started the Springboks’ first end-of-year tour Test against Scotland, was a replacement against England and started the most recent Test against Wales.