Springbok Star Eben Etzebeth Looks to Tie Victor Matfield’s Test Cap Record in High-Stakes Rugby Championship Fixture at Cape Town Stadium

This Saturday, 7 September, Cape Town Stadium will host a significant moment for Springbok rugby as Eben Etzebeth nears a major record.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has named Etzebeth in the starting lineup for the Rugby Championship clash, setting the stage for him to inch closer to Victor Matfield’s Test cap record.

Matfield’s Record in Sight

Victor Matfield currently holds the record for most Springbok Test caps with 127.

Etzebeth, now at 125 caps, is just two shy of tying this record. He’s already surpassed former wing Bryan Habana, who has 124 caps.

With five more Tests scheduled for 2024, Etzebeth is on track to become the most-capped Springbok by the end of the year, provided he remains injury-free.

He could match Matfield’s record against Argentina’s Pumas on 21 September and potentially surpass it a week later in Nelspruit. At 33, turning 33 in late October, Etzebeth has ample time to extend his record further.

Springboks with 80+ Tests

Here’s a snapshot of Springboks who have played 80 or more Tests before Saturday’s match:

• Denotes still active

Team Lineups

South Africa

Starting XV:

• 15: Willie le Roux
• 14: Canan Moodie
• 13: Jesse Kriel
• 12: Damian de Allende
• 11: Cheslin Kolbe
• 10: Handre Pollard
• 9: Grant Williams
• 8: Jasper Wiese
• 7: Pieter-Steph du Toit
• 6: Siya Kolisi (captain)
• 5: Ruan Nortje
• 4: Eben Etzebeth
• 3: Frans Malherbe
• 2: Bongi Mbonambi
• 1: Ox Nche

Substitutes:

• 16: Malcolm Marx
• 17: Gerhard Steenekamp
• 18: Vincent Koch
• 19: Kwagga Smith
• 20: Elrigh Louw
• 21: Jaden Hendrikse
• 22: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
• 23: Lukhanyo Am

New Zealand

Starting XV:

• 15: Will Jordan
• 14: Sevu Reece
• 13: Rieko Ioane
• 12: Jordie Barrett
• 11: Mark Tele’a
• 10: Damian McKenzie
• 9: Cortez Ratima
• 8: Ardie Savea
• 7: Sam Cane
• 6: Wallace Sititi
• 5: Tupou Vaa’i
• 4: Scott Barrett (captain)
• 3: Tyrel Lomax
• 2: Codie Taylor
• 1: Tamaiti Williams

Substitutes:

• 16: Asafo Aumua
• 17: Ofa Tu’ungafasi
• 18: Fletcher Newell
• 19: Sam Darry
• 20: Luke Jacobson
• 21: TJ Perenara
• 22: Anton Lienert-Brown
• 23: Beauden Barrett

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for the match on Saturday at 17:00 to see if Etzebeth will make history.