Willie Le Roux’s Looks Set to Reach 100 Caps for the Springboks in 2025
Rassie Erasmus is hopeful that veteran fullback Willie Le Roux will reach the milestone of 100 Test caps for South Africa during the 2025 season.
Currently sitting at 98 appearances for the Springboks, the 35-year-old has played a vital role in the national team for over a decade. This year, he has also been deployed at flyhalf for the Vodacom Bulls, showcasing his versatility. However, with several younger players in contention for the No. 15 jersey, Le Roux may have to wait for his opportunity to achieve the landmark.
However, the Springboks are set to play Italy in their upcoming test on July 5. While bookies haven’t set odds yet for the match, historically, the Springboks have lost only once against Italy, winning 15 of their 16 encounters. This record indicates that the current World Cup champions are heavy favourites, and the game may serve as the perfect stage for Willie Le Roux to earn his 99th test cap for South Africa. As such, many rugby fans will likely back the Boks for a comfortable win and place wagers on them at the best betting sites UK players can access, which offer faster payouts, diverse payment methods, lucrative bonuses, and competitive odds on various rugby betting markets like try scorers, winning margin, first team to score, and total points over/under.
With the Springboks expected to dominate, the spotlight also falls on the competition for the fullback position, where Le Roux faces strong challenges from a rising generation of talent. Last season, Aphelele Fassi started in more than half of South Africa’s matches at fullback, demonstrating impressive form. Alongside him, Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remain strong contenders for a starting position, making for intense competition for the role. While the Springbok management prioritises team performance over individual goals, Erasmus acknowledges the contribution Le Roux has made to South African rugby and believes he has earned the right to reach 100 caps. His leadership and experience continue to add value to the squad, making him an important figure both on and off the field.
The Springboks have a busy 2025 schedule, with 15 matches on the calendar, 14 of which are Test fixtures. This provides Le Roux with ample chances to feature and potentially reach his century of caps before the year ends. Erasmus hinted that the goal is to celebrate the achievement in front of home supporters, similar to how Eben Etzebeth became the most-capped Springbok lock in Nelspruit last year. With a packed international calendar, squad rotation will be crucial, which could work in Le Roux’s favour when opportunities arise. If he maintains his form and fitness, the Springbok management may look for the right moment to honour his milestone on South African soil.
South Africa’s squad culture is built on strong camaraderie and emotional investment in each other’s successes. The coaching staff and players take pride in celebrating major milestones within the group. Last year, the plan was to give Le Roux his 100th Test appearance, but with Fassi excelling in the position, selection decisions were made based on merit rather than sentiment. If the opportunity arises in 2025, the team would prefer to have the celebration take place on home soil, making it an occasion to remember. With a full calendar of Test matches ahead, there should be several opportunities for Le Roux to earn his milestone cap. The decision will ultimately rest on form, fitness, and the balance of the squad heading into each fixture. Regardless of when it happens, his teammates will undoubtedly rally behind him, recognising his long-standing contribution to Springbok rugby.
With a packed international calendar ahead, Le Roux’s experience and leadership remain valuable assets. The upcoming fixtures will determine if he earns a starting role or plays a supporting role from the bench. Either way, the Springbok coaching team will ensure that every cap awarded aligns with the team’s objectives rather than being handed out as a courtesy. If Le Roux does reach the milestone and joins the company of players like Bryan Habana, Victor Matfiled, John Smit, and Eben Etzebeth, it will be because he continues to contribute meaningfully to the squad. The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one for South African rugby, and Le Roux’s journey to 100 Tests will be one of the key narratives to follow. With strong depth in the squad, competition for places will be intense, making every selection a reflection of both form and strategy.
