Eben Etzebeth edges closer to joining ‘100-Test club’

South Africa currently has SIX players who are part of the exclusive ‘100-club’ having played a century or more Tests for their country.

READ | SPRINGBOKS OUT-MUSCLE SCOTLAND AT MURRAYFIELD

That list is heading by legendary lock Victor Matfield who represented the Springboks on a record 127 occasions.

He is followed by Bryan Habana (124 Tests) who is the most-capped Springbok backline player of all time.

READ | SPRINGBOKS REGAIN NO 1 RANKING AFTER ALL BLACKS HUMBLED BY IRELAND

“Beast” Mtawarira follows with 117 with John Smit close behind on 114.

Next is Jean de Villiers (109 Tests) while Percy Montgomery rounds out the Top 6 with 102 Test caps to his name.

All six of those players have hung up their boots.

PICTURE | RASSIE ERASMUS BACK ON ‘WATER BOY’ DUTY!

Next on the list – and the only ‘active’ player in the Top 10 in fact, is Eben Etzebeth.

The second-rower played his 96th Test against Scotland on Saturday and picked up the man of the match award for an outstanding display.

Presumably he will run out for his 97th Test at Twickenham next weekend against England.

That will leave the Toulon star requiring just three more Tests in 2022 to join the exclusive ‘club’.

READ | PARTY TIME IN DUBLIN AS IRELAND HUMBLE ALL BLACKS

Having just celebrated his 30th birthday, Eben Etzebeth has several playing years ahead of him – assuming he stays injury free – and could well end his career as the highest capped Springbok of all time.

For the record, rounding out the Top 10 most capped Springboks of all time are: Joost van der Westhuizen (89), Ruan Pienaar (88) and Schalk Burger (86).

OPINION: KOLISI THE FRONTRUNNER FOR SA RUGBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR!