When the Springboks tackle the All Blacks this Saturday, Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok player of all time to 146 caps when he takes the field.
As a virtually irreplaceable presence in the No 4 jersey, Etzebeth continues to accumulate Test caps at a rapid rate, and he is now in line to become the first Springbok player to reach 150 international appearances.
That 150-cap milestone could in fact be reached this year. Although Etzebeth is likely to be rested for the one-off Test against the Wallabies at the end of September, there are four matches that are scheduled for the end-of-year tour.
If the 34-year-old features in every game during November, he could reach the 150-cap mark during the Nations Championship ‘finals weekend’.
Etzebeth will soon turn 35, but if he stays fit, there is every chance he could play in the region of 10 more Test matches next year, especially if the Springboks go deep into the 2027 World Cup tournament.
And if he opts to continue beyond the World Cup for another year or two before hanging up his boots, there is every chance he could eventually retire as the most-capped player of all time.
Eben Etzebeth currently fifth among the Top Most-Capped Men’s Players
Note: Test counts for active players (Eben Etzebeth and Beauden Barrett) continue to grow during current international windows.
First things first
Adding to the significance of being able to play in the series against the All Blacks after months on the sidelines due to injury, Etzebeth said it added to his motivation to be the best player that he can be on the field.
“The injuries were a bit frustrating, obviously, because I couldn’t get a lot of rugby under my belt, but it’s nice to be back,” he said ahead of this Saturday’s clash in Baltimore.
“It was great to play my first Test against Argentina again and get a full 80 minutes, and obviously the last couple of games against New Zealand as well, so I’m just glad to be back on the park and playing rugby.”
With Etzebeth set to extend his record as the most capped Springbok player of all time, he said the experience in the matchday squad was valuable going into such an important encounter.
“Experience is quite important,” he said.
“A lot of us talk about what happens on the field and what we can do better in certain situations. There’s still a big sense of responsibility, not just individually, but as a collective to keep representing South Africa well and to the best of our ability.
“I know we’re getting a bit older, but personally it feels like we’re working a lot harder than when we were younger. I think I speak on behalf of all the older guys who have been here for a while. We understand how fortunate we are to still be here, and I think that’s why were still performing at such a high level and competing with the best in the world.”
REMAINING FIXTURES IN 2026
Once-off Test
Nations Championship (End of Year Tour)
