VIDEO: Willie le Roux - Majaivane, assist king and now Test centurion
Willem Jacobus le Roux is a double World Cup winner (2019, 2023) and about to run out in the Green and Gold for the 100th time, only the eighth player in Springbok history to do so.
Affectionately known as Willie, he is a versatile playmaker who loves to run and attack.
His ability to assist tries from anywhere on the field earned him the King of Assists tag.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi nicknamed him ‘Majaivane’, which translates to ‘one who is always dancing’ because the No.15 is always goosing and stepping – at least he did in his younger years.
These days, at the age of 35, he admits that part of his game happens a bit less now.
His style of play earned him plenty of fans when he was on form, but, equally, caused a lot of negativity to be thrown his way when things weren’t going as well.
Whether you love him or hate him, Le Roux is a crucial component in the Springboks’ evolution away from a side known predominantly for its forward play into one that is a danger from all areas of the pitch.
WATCH as Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus speaks about his early impressions of fullback Willie le Rouxhttps://t.co/vK0FFhudqK
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The utility back was born in Stellenbosch on August 18, 1989, and attended Paul Roos Gymnasium.
He made his Super Rugby debut in 2012 and his international debut against Italy in Durban on June 8, 2013.
On that day, the Springbok scrumhalf was Ruan Pienaar, these days the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup coach.
Le Roux started his professional career with the Boland Cavaliers. He spent two years with the Cavaliers, helping them lift the 2011 First Division title in his final appearance.
He then moved north to join the Griquas in 2012 and started nine of the Peacock Blues’ 10 games during his debut season in Kimberley.
He quickly established himself as one of the top backs in the country and was subsequently called up to the Cheetahs Super Rugby squad in 2012.
Numerous top-drawer performances for the Cheetahs followed, and the national side came calling. He earned his Test debut at the age of 24.
Le Roux played an integral part in South Africa’s 2013 Rugby Championship campaign later that year and featured in all six matches, scoring tries in both home and away Tests against Australia. He registered his first career Test try against Australia, in a 38-12 Boks victory in Brisbane on September 7, 2013.
His performances at the international level catapulted him onto the world stage as he was first awarded the South African Players’ Association Player of the Year in 2013. And then he was nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2014 alongside Julian Savea, Johnny Sexton, Duane Vermeulen, and eventual winner Brodie Retallick.
He left the Cheetahs after the 2015 Super Rugby season to spend some time playing in Japan with the Eagles before joining the Sharks for the 2016 season.
His time with the Durban-based side would prove to be short-lived when English Premiership side Wasps announced he would join them in January 2017 after finishing his commitments with the Eagles.
The versatile back was an immediate hit at Wasps as he helped the Coventry-based club reach the Premiership final in his first season. This saw him set a Premiership record of 21 try assists during the regular season.
In May 2018, he was recalled into the Springbok fray by new Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus as preparations got underway for the 2019 World Cup.
In January 2019, Wasps confirmed that Le Roux would be leaving the club at the end of the 2018/19 season. Two months later, he signed a deal with Japanese club Verblitz.
On the international front, 2019 proved to be a very successful year for Willie le Roux as the Springboks went on to win the Rugby Championship for the first time since Argentina joined the competition.
He left Japan in 2023 to join the Bulls in Pretoria and has since extended his contract until 2027.
Pienaar paid tribute to his former teammate ahead of the Cheetahs’ anniversary match against Georgia.
Pienaar, an 88-cap Bok, shared the rugby field with Le Roux both in a Cheetahs and Springbok jersey.
“It’s a massive achievement for any player to get close to 100 Springbok caps,” Pienaar told Rugby365.
“It’s incredible what Willie has done and the longevity he has shown.
“It’s great to see someone who has represented the Cheetahs go on to become a double World Cup winner and British and Irish Lions, and Rugby Championship winner. We are all proud of him; he deserves all the accolades he receives.
“South African legends have worn this shirt in the past, and that is where our players want to end up, wearing the national colours.”
