South Africa's elite nine: From Montgomery to Kolisi
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is set to become the ninth player to reach 100 Test appearances for South Africa.
It’s remarkable that only nine players have joined this elite club. Among them are seasoned captains, and three remain active with the Springboks.
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Eben Etzebeth – 138 caps
Leading the way is the most-capped Springbok Eben Etzebeth. The lock broke Victor Matfield’s record of 127 caps on September 28, 2024, and will play his 139 cap this Saturday against France.
The double World Cup-winner has become a prominent figure since making his Springbok debut against England in June 2012. A decade later, the star played his 100th Test for the Springboks against Wales in 2022, becoming the seventh player to do so.
Victor Matfield – 127 caps
Matfield made his Springbok Test debut in 2001, facing the touring Italy side and soon established himself as a regular.
Matfield was instrumental in the 2007 World Cup victory, captained the Springboks, and won two Tri-Nations titles (2004, 2009).
His final match came in the 2015 World Cup third-place playoff against Argentina.
Bryan Habana – 124 caps
Arguably one of the greatest wingers in rugby history, Habana made his debut against England at Twickenham in November 2004.
He retired in 2016, finishing as the Springboks’ all-time leading try-scorer with 67 tries – an incredible strike-rate.
Habana was part of the 2007 World Cup-winning team and equalled Jonah Lomu’s record for the most tries in a single World Cup tournament.
Tendai Mtawarira (“The Beast”) – 117 caps
Debuting against Wales in June 2008, Mtawarira became the most-capped Springbok front-rower.
While he scored just two tries in his career, his work in the scrums and as a ball-carrier more than made up for the lack of points.
Mtawarira played his last game when the Boks lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in Yokohama in 2019.
John Smit – 111 caps
With 111 Tests behind his name, John Smit is the fifth-most capped Springbok.
He also holds the record for the most matches (88) as skipper of the Green and Gold.
Smit led the Springboks to RWC glory in 2007 and would skipper South Africa to victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
Smit made his debut against Canada in 2000 and called time on his career in 2011 after the Springboks’ exit from the World Cup.
Jean de Villiers – 109 caps
He made his Springbok debut against France in November 2002 and went on to accumulate 109 caps for the Springboks.
De Villiers’ career has been plagued with injuries, making his presence in the centurion club all the more significant.
The centre played his final Test against Samoa on September 27, 2015, following a jaw fracture he sustained at the 2015 World Cup.
He captained the Springboks in 37 Test matches.
Percy Montgomery – 102 caps
Montgomery was the first Springbok to reach a century of Test appearances.
He reached the milestone during a 0-19 defeat to New Zealand in Cape Town in 2008.
The utility back was awarded a golden cap, and he accumulated 102 caps over his career.
Montgomery made his Springbok debut against the British and Irish Lions at Kings Park in 1997 and played his final game in August 2008.
He is the Springboks’ all-time leading points scorer with 893 points to his name.
Willie Le Roux – 101 caps
Le Roux became the eighth player to join the 100-club when he played his 100th Test against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha earlier this year.
It was an incredible milestone for the fullback, who made his debut in 2013.
Over his 12-year career, he won two Rugby World Cups in 2019 and 2023.
At 101 caps, the 36-year-old is approaching the twilight years of his career.
The star was not selected for the Boks’ Nations Series campaign. However, one does get the feeling he will certainly add one or two more Tests to his tally
Siya Kolisi – 99 caps (upcoming 100)
South Africa’s most beloved son is currently on 99 caps and will play his 100th against France in Paris.
While he is not one to take credit for his achievements, there’s poetic symmetry in the setting. The Stade de France was where Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time just over two years ago, guiding South Africa to back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
Kolisi made his debut, becoming Springbok 851, on June 15, 2013, against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Since then, he has become the most decorated Springbok captain, having won two World Cups back-to-back in 2019 (Japan) and 2023 (France) – equalling the New Zealand team led by Richie McCaw, who also won back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015 – as captain.
He now stands alone as the only Springbok captain to have led South Africa to four consecutive wins against the mighty All Blacks. Prior to that, he shared the record with former captains John Smit (2007) and Felix du Plessis (1949).
This week, one hopes he can celebrate the occasion in style when he leads the Boks against France.
On the horizon: Damian de Allende (94 caps) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (93 caps) are the next in line but may only reach 100 caps in 2026.
