Last Springbok game in South Africa for these players?

This weekend’s match at Emirates Airline Park will be the final appearance on South African soil in 2023 for the Springbok team before they head overseas for three World Cup warm-up games that precede the global event in France.

With this in mind, what should also not be forgotten is the fact that this could be the last Bok Test match on home soil for a couple of special players who may not be in the Springbok picture next year onwards.

World Cup race over? Springbok backs who lack game-time

Duane Vermeulen

After a legendary career that has seen the experienced No 8 rack up 67 Test caps, it does seem quite probable that the 37-year-old may opt to head into international retirement after the World Cup. It could add an extra special element to this Saturday’s game as he captains the team in what he may secretly know is his last game on South African soil in the green and gold colours of the Springboks.

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Trevor Nyakane

This past May, the popular prop turned 34 years old, and while there is every chance he could continue to play for another couple of years, it does seem that he has fallen slightly out of frontline favour at the Springboks. The big man will play off the bench this weekend, and it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that it could turn out to be his last Bok game at home.

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Springbok record against Argentina

Played 34; Won 30; Lost 3; Drawn 1; Points for: 1 193, Points against: 657; Tries scored 140, Tries conceded 62; Highest score 73-13; Biggest win 60 points. Win % 88%.

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Milestones:

• Eben Etzebeth has played in 19 Tests against the Pumas and becomes the first Springbok to play in 20 Test matches against Argentina.
• Etzebeth will surpass former Springbok captain and hooker John Smit’s 111 Test caps on Saturday, making him the fourth most capped Springbok.
• Malcolm Marx needs one try to equal Schalk Burger’s record of 16 Test tries, the most by a Springbok forward.
• Grant Williams will earn his first Test start.

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Miscellaneous:

• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 718.
• There are 256 caps in the backline, with 462 caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 326 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 36, the forwards 57, while the players on the bench average 40.