This Saturday, 7 September, Cape Town Stadium will host a significant moment for Springbok rugby as Eben Etzebeth nears a major record.
Coach Rassie Erasmus has named Etzebeth in the starting lineup for the Rugby Championship clash, setting the stage for him to inch closer to Victor Matfield’s Test cap record.
Matfield’s Record in Sight
Victor Matfield currently holds the record for most Springbok Test caps with 127.
Etzebeth, now at 125 caps, is just two shy of tying this record. He’s already surpassed former wing Bryan Habana, who has 124 caps.
With five more Tests scheduled for 2024, Etzebeth is on track to become the most-capped Springbok by the end of the year, provided he remains injury-free.
He could match Matfield’s record against Argentina’s Pumas on 21 September and potentially surpass it a week later in Nelspruit. At 33, turning 33 in late October, Etzebeth has ample time to extend his record further.
Springboks with 80+ Tests
Here’s a snapshot of Springboks who have played 80 or more Tests before Saturday’s match:
| 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 |
| Joost van der Westhuizen | 89 | 38 |
| Ruan Pienaar | 88 | 8 |
| Siya Kolisi * | 87 | 11 |
| Schalk Burger | 86 | 16 |
| Bakkies Botha | 85 | 7 |
| Damian De Allende * | 83 | 11 |
| Steven Kitshoff * | 83 | 2 |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit * | 82 | 9 |
| Os du Randt | 80 | 5 |
- Denotes still active
Team Lineups
South Africa
Starting XV:
- 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
Starting XV:
- 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
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for the match on Saturday at 17:00 to see if Etzebeth will make history.