Springbok veteran closing in on 100 Test caps

Willie le Roux made his debut for the Springboks back in 2013, and since then he has featured in 93 Tests, notably starting in 79 of those games.

The veteran fullback is now 34 years old, but he appears to have a new lease on his rugby life after joining up with the Bulls after the World Cup.

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Le Roux has seen his role with the Springboks change in recent times, with Damian Willemse now the first-choice No 15, but that should not diminish the importance of the veteran’s value.

Le Roux still has plenty to offer the Boks as an elder statesman who is the ultimate team man, an extraordinary try creator, and someone who is as competitive and passionate about the Springbok badge as you can get.

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The playmaker could well feature in seven more Bok games this year, which would take him to the magical 100 Test mark, which would be an incredible feat for a player who has been such a loyal servant of Springbok rugby for the better part of a decade.

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PROFILE: WILLIE LE ROUX

Name: Willie le Roux

Born: 18 August 1989, Stellenbosch

School: Paul Roos Gymnasium

Major teams: Springboks, Cheetahs, Canon Eagles, Sharks, Wasps, Toyota Verblitz

Position: Fullback

Height: 6-foot-1

Test debut: South Africa v Italy in Durban, 8 June 2023

Tests played: 87

Tries scored: 13

Current club team: Moving from Suntory to Stormers

All information correct as at 5 September 2023

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THE BOKS’ HOME TEST SCHEDULE FOR 2024 IS:

Saturday, 6 July: SA vs. Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs. Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs. Portugal (venue TBC)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs. New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA vs. New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 28 September: SA vs. Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)

Meanwhile, the Springboks’ away Test schedule includes two matches against the Wallabies in Australia in August, and an away match against Argentina in the Rugby Championship in September, as well as engagements in Europe in November 2024.

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