Third Test by numbers
Can Heyneke Meyer's Springboks make it a series whitewash over England? We look at the numbers ahead of tomorrow's third Test in Port Elizabeth, with new caps and old caps chasing records.
– The Springboks have won the last nine consecutive Tests against England. This is a new record for South Africa against England. New Zealand is the only other country that had nine consecutive wins against England.
– This Test will just be the second to be played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The Springboks beat New Zealand here last year in the Tri-Nations by 18-5. Morné Steyn scored all the points on that occasion with five penalty goals and one drop-goal.
– South Africa and England have only met once before in Port Elizabeth – in 1984, when the Springboks won 33-15 in the first of two Tests against John Scott's England side.
– Western Province's Bryan Habana is South Africa's most-capped Springbok wing with 75 Tests and also most experienced player in the squad with 76 Test caps. He is the Springboks' top try-scorer with 40 career tries in Tests. He also holds the Springbok record for most career tries in Tests against England, with six. Bryan has played in 10 Tests against England.
– Morné Steyn is South Africa's top try-scorer as a flyhalf with seven career tries. Morné Steyn will equal Butch James's record as the most-capped Springbok flyhalf – 37. This Test will be Morné Steyn's 25th consecutive Test of which only one appearance was not at flyhalf. Only five Springboks have played in more than 25 consecutive Test matches before.
– In the only Test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Morné Steyn scored all SA's points against the All Black in last year's Tri-Nations Test – 18. He needs 13 points in this Test to replace Braam van Straaten in second place for most points scored in Tests against England.
– Sharks star Bismarck du Plessis is South Africa's top try-scorer in Tests as a hooker with six Test tries.
– Pierre Spies will play in his 50th Test for South Africa. He is South Africa's most capped No.8 with 44 Tests in this position. Pierre holds the record for most Test tries as a No.8, with seven.
– WP's Jean de Villiers will play in his 75th Test for South Africa. It will also be his 60th cap as centre. Jean scored his 20th Test try for the Springboks in Durban two weeks ago against England.
– Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis will play together in their record 23rd Test as brothers.
– The Bulls' Jacques Potgieter will be South Africa's 834th Springbok. It is appropriate that he will make his Test debut in Port Elizabeth, his place of birth.
(Stats courtesy of sarugby.co.za)
