Willie le Roux’s much-anticipated milestone of 100 Test caps with the Springboks will have to wait a little longer.

The 35-year-old fullback is just two appearances shy of the prestigious mark, having earned 98 caps in his career so far.

His journey to becoming the eighth South African player to reach 100 Tests is ongoing, with the fullback needing to make a few more appearances to join this exclusive club.

A Brief Pause in His Journey

Le Roux’s name was missing from the squad announced for the upcoming match against England at Twickenham, a game that will see Aphelele Fassi take his place at fullback.

Having played the full 80 minutes in the victory over Scotland, Le Roux was hoping to feature in both remaining end-of-year tour matches to hit the 100-Test milestone.

With his omission from the England squad, his wait will extend until at least mid-2025 to achieve this personal achievement.

The Road to 100 Tests

Since 1891, 944 players have worn the iconic green and gold jersey for South Africa, but only a select few have reached the 100-Test milestone.

Le Roux is in the company of some of South Africa’s most celebrated players, and his eventual entry into the 100-Test club will see him join the ranks of legends like Eben Etzebeth, Bryan Habana, and John Smit.

South Africa’s 100-Test Centurions

Eben Etzebeth – 129 Tests, 6 tries
Victor Matfield – 127 Tests, 7 tries
Bryan Habana – 124 Tests, 67 tries
Tendai Mtawarira – 117 Tests, 2 tries
John Smit – 111 Tests, 8 tries
Jean de Villiers – 109 Tests, 27 tries
Percy Montgomery – 102 Tests, 25 tries
Willie le Roux – 98 Tests, 15 tries (still playing)

Le Roux’s Career Highlights

Born in Stellenbosch on August 18, 1989, Le Roux’s rugby journey began at Paul Roos Gymnasium.

After making his Test debut in 2013 against Italy, he quickly became a key player for the Springboks.

His career spans both provincial and international rugby, with stints at the Boland Cavaliers, Griquas, Free State Cheetahs, Sharks, Blue Bulls, Wasps, and Canon Eagles.

Le Roux also played for Toyota Verblitz in Japan and has won two Rugby World Cup titles as part of the 2019 and 2023 Springbok squads.

With 15 tries in his Test career and a win percentage of 68%, Le Roux has established himself as a reliable and skilled player.

He continues to play a pivotal role in the Springbok backline, even as he approaches the latter stages of his illustrious career.

Springboks’ End-of-Year Fixtures

Sunday, 10 November: vs Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh – Springboks won 32-15
Saturday, 16 November: vs England, Allianz Stadium, London – 19:40 (SA time)
Saturday, 23 November: vs Wales, Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 19:40 (SA time)

Le Roux’s Bio

Full Name: Willem Jacobus le Roux
Date of Birth: 18 August 1989
Place of Birth: Stellenbosch
Schools: Strand, Paul Roos Gymnasium
Springbok No: #848
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 90kg
Current Age: 35

As Le Roux continues to make his mark on the international rugby stage, fans eagerly await the moment when he finally crosses the 100-Test threshold, cementing his place in Springbok history.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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