Willie le Roux handed chance to join Springbok Test centurion club

Willie le Roux could become just the eighth Springbok to reach the 100-Test mark on the team’s upcoming end-of-year tour.

Willie le Roux could become just the eighth Springbok to reach the 100-Test mark on the team's upcoming end-of-year tour. Image: Samuel Shivambu / BackpagePix

Willie le Roux could become just the eighth Springbok to reach the 100-Test mark on the team’s upcoming end-of-year tour.

The 35-year-old veteran fullback has made 97 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.

The Springboks will play three Tests on their end of year tour, against Scotland, England and Wales.

Le Roux was included in head coach Rassie Erasmus’s 34-man touring squad on Tuesday.

He would need to be selected in the starting XV – or come off the bench – in all three Tests to join the below Test centurions list:

SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST CENTURIONS

Player	Tests	Tries
Eben Etzebeth *	128	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 *	97	15

* denotes still playing

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 66 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 – 18:10 (SA time)

Saturday, 16 November vs England – Allianz Stadium, London – 19:40 (SA time)

Saturday, 23 November vs Wales – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 19:40 (SA time)

Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls)

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster)

Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)

Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls)

Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Damian Willemse (Stormers)

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