Damian de Allende poised to join Springboks’ 100-cap greats as Etzebeth leads elite list

Damian de Allende is just one appearance away from becoming only the 10th player in history to win 100 Test caps for South Africa, joining a select group headed by current record-holder Eben Etzebeth.

The Springbok centre, who is expected to reach the milestone later this season, will enter an exclusive club that spans multiple eras of South African rugby – from Percy Montgomery’s pioneering achievements to Siya Kolisi’s history-making captaincy and the enduring influence of Etzebeth in the modern game.

Below is a look at the nine players who have already reached three figures in the green and gold, and the one who will join them next.

Willie le Roux – creative full-back with 101 caps

Stellenbosch-born Willie le Roux, who started his professional career in unusual fashion with Griquas, evolved into one of South Africa’s most prolific fullbacks.

He made his Springbok debut at Kings Park in Durban against Italy on 8 June 2013, aged 23, and went on to win 101 caps. His final Test appearance came against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on 6 September 2025, when he was 36.

A former Paul Roos Gymnasium pupil, Le Roux scored 15 Test tries and built his reputation on his vision, aerial security and ability to unlock defences with ball in hand. The Walvis Bay-born back remains regarded as one of the most decorated fullbacks South Africa has produced.

Percy Montgomery – points machine and World Cup winner

Percy Montgomery became a trailblazer for South African rugby, setting a new benchmark for Test appearances and points during his career.

The former SACS and Newport star debuted as a 23-year-old outside centre against the British & Irish Lions at Kings Park on 28 June 1997. Across 102 Tests, he scored 25 tries and for many years stood as the Springboks’ all-time leading points scorer.

Montgomery’s international career ended as a replacement against Australia at Ellis Park on 30 August 2008, when he was 34. He was a key figure in the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup triumph in 2007.

Siya Kolisi – pioneering captain and double world champion

Few South African sporting stories resonate like that of Siya Kolisi.

Born in Port Elizabeth and educated at Grey High School, he made his Test debut as a 21-year-old replacement against Scotland at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on 15 June 2013.

Kolisi later became the first Black African captain of the Springboks and led South Africa to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023. Across 103 Tests, he has scored 14 tries, with his most recent appearance coming as a flanker against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 29 November 2025.

His impact has stretched far beyond the sport, turning him into a figure of national and international significance.

Jean de Villiers – elegant centre halted by injuries

Jean de Villiers, a product of Paarl Gimnasium, debuted for the Springboks as a 21-year-old outside centre against France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on 9 November 2002.

Across 109 Tests, he registered 27 tries and was widely admired as one of South Africa’s most skilful and effective centres. His leadership qualities saw him captain the national side, although his career was repeatedly disrupted by serious injuries.

De Villiers’ final Test came during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, against Samoa at Villa Park in Birmingham on 26 September 2015, when he was 34.

John Smit – record-breaking captain at hooker

John Smit, born in Pietersburg and educated at Pretoria Boys High School, made his Springbok debut at Basil Kenyon Stadium in East London, coming off the bench as a 22-year-old against Canada on 10 June 2000.

Smit went on to captain South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007 and still holds the record for the most Tests as Springbok captain. The hooker scored eight Test tries in 111 appearances.

His international career concluded at the age of 33, when he started at hooker against Australia at Wellington Regional Stadium on 9 October 2011. Smit was central to one of the most successful periods in Springbok history.

Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira – cornerstone of the scrum

Tendai Mtawarira, born in Harare, Zimbabwe and educated at Peterhouse and Churchill High School, became one of the most feared loosehead props in the world game.

He made his Springbok debut as a 22-year-old against Wales at Loftus Versfeld on 14 June 2008 and played his final Test in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against England at International Stadium Yokohama on 2 November 2019. He bowed out as a world champion at the age of 34.

Mtawarira scored just two tries in 117 Tests, but his contribution was measured in his scrummaging power and consistency. For more than a decade he anchored the Springbok pack with destructive authority.

Bryan Habana – prolific wing and try-scoring phenomenon

Bryan Habana, born in Benoni and a former King Edward VII School pupil, made his Springbok debut as a 21-year-old replacement against England at Twickenham on 20 November 2004.

He went on to score 67 Test tries in 124 appearances – a world record at the time of his retirement and still one of the most remarkable statistics in rugby union.

Habana’s final Test came against Italy at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on 19 November 2016, when he was 33. A 2007 Rugby World Cup winner, he was renowned as one of the fastest and most clinical finishers the sport has seen.

Victor Matfield – lineout master and enduring presence

Victor Matfield, born in Pietersburg, became widely regarded as arguably the greatest lineout forward in the history of the game.

He made his debut as a 24-year-old replacement against Italy at Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 30 June 2001. His last Test appearance came against Argentina at the Olympic Stadium in London on 30 October 2015, in the Rugby World Cup, at the age of 38.

Matfield scored seven tries in 127 Tests, but his influence extended far beyond the numbers. A two-metre lock, he dominated lineouts, led the Bulls to Super Rugby success and captained South Africa, leaving a lasting imprint on forward play.

Eben Etzebeth – current record-holder and modern enforcer

Eben Etzebeth, born in Cape Town and schooled at Tygerberg High School, is South Africa’s most-capped player, with 141 Tests to his name and counting.

He made his debut as a 20-year-old lock against England at Kings Park in Durban on 9 June 2012, making him the youngest of the centurions at the time of their first cap. Standing 2.03m tall and weighing 117kg, he has redefined the physical and athletic demands of the modern Test lock.

Etzebeth has scored nine Test tries, with his latest appearance coming as a replacement against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 29 November 2025. At 34, he remains central to the Springboks’ plans.

Damian de Allende and Pieter-Steph du Toit set to follow

Damian de Allende is poised to become the 10th Springbok to reach 100 caps later this season, extending the list of South African centurions.

He is not the only current player closing in on the landmark. Pieter-Steph du Toit stands on 98 Tests and is also expected to join the elite 100-cap club before the end of the season, underlining the longevity and experience within the present Springbok squad.