When Willie le Roux made his Test debut for the Springboks as a talented youngster from Griquas in 2013, very few could have predicted what an illustrious career would lie ahead.
Over his 98 Tests to date, Le Roux has established himself as one of the Springboks’ greatest fullbacks of all time, having served as the starting 15 during both the successful 2019 World Cup and the 2021 British & Irish Lions series.
In more recent times, he has shifted into more of a mentorship and supporting role to some degree, but he was still a key member of the 2023 World Cup-winning squad.
Although Le Roux has now fallen behind Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse in the fullback pecking order, there is still no doubting his value to the team.
Coach Rassie Erasmus recently confirmed that Le Roux was in line to celebrate his special 100th cap milestone during a home Test, and it could come sooner rather than later.
Taking a look at the Springboks’ Test schedule, Le Roux can be expected to feature in at least one of the Tests against Italy in July to take him to 99 caps.
He will then most likely celebrate his milestone either against Georgia on 19 July or one of the two home Tests against Australia in August.
“We, as a team, enjoy each other, and are emotionally attached to each other. We are a family,” Erasmus said during a recent press conference.
“When Eben Etzebeth broke the record (for most-capped Springbok on 128), we wanted to get that match in South Africa, and it was a great occasion.
“We always would like to start a player when it’s a big milestone game. We would have loved to give Willie his 100th Test last year, but Fassi was playing so well.
“So, we don’t want to give away freebies. But Willie is two games away, and deserves to play 100 games.”
SPRINGBOKS’ 2025 TEST SCHEDULE:
TBC: vs Barbarians, TBC, TBC
5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland
13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington
27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban
4 October: vs Argentina, London
1 November: vs Wales, Cardiff
8 November: vs France, Paris
15 November: vs Italy, Turin
22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin
*SA Rugby are working on two additional end-of-year Tests for the Springboks.
WHERE DO YOU RATE LE ROUX IN TERMS OF GREATEST BOK FULLBACKS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/next-springbok-to-earn-100-caps-heres-when/
