Springboks celebrate another player milestone

It’s been a season of milestones for various Springbok players already in 2026, with Damian de Allende and Pieter-Steph du Toit reaching 100 caps.

Cheslin Kolbe and Ox Nche have hit the half century mark as well this year, and now Jasper Wiese will earn his 50th Test cap this weekend after making his international debut against Georgia at Loftus Versfeld in 2021.

It’s also worth noting that 2025 World Rugby and SA Rugby Player of the Year Malcom Marx requires only six more appearances after this encounter to join the exclusive club of players to earn 100 Test caps.

Praise for Springbok powerhouse Jasper Wiese

On the eve of Wiese’s milestone, legendary former Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen shared a tribute to the influential eighthman.

“It’s amazing how time has flown by,” said Vermeulen.

“Jasper got there a lot faster than I did, and he’s a fantastic player and real stalwart in the team. He’s also become one of the core leaders in the group over the last couple of years.

“He is the go-to guy if you want to go forward, and he’s been playing really well. It’s a fantastic achievement and there is a lot more to come from him. I enjoyed the time I played alongside him, and coaching him is just as much fun.”

Meanwhile, looking ahead to the game, Vermeulen echoed sentiments that the Australian forward pack is a big weapon for their team, and he expected a massive battle on Sunday.

“The big thing about the Australian side is that they are really quick at the breakdown,” said Vermeulen.

“They have some good poachers in their squad, and their scrum poses a different threat to that of New Zealand. We haven’t faced their lineout and maul this year, and they have been doing really well.

“It’s a different set-up under Les Kiss (new Wallabies head coach), and we’ll have a game on our hands come Sunday. They will be well prepared, and we will not underestimate them.”

This Sunday’s match kicks off at 11:45 (SA Time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Miscellaneous:

• Andre Esterhuizen will officially become the 68th Springbok captain in history when he leads the team onto the park at the Optus Stadium.
• Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok of all time to 147 Test matches.
• Jasper Wiese will earn his 50th Test cap after making his international debut against Georgia at Loftus Versfeld in 2021.
• 2025 World Rugby and SA Rugby Player of the Year Malcom Marx requires only six more appearances after this encounter to join the exclusive club of players to earn 100 Test caps.
• Franco Mostert will play in his first Test since the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test against Wales last November.
• South Africa have won five of their last six Test matches against Australia dating back to September 2022. Their only defeat was a 38-22 loss against the Wallabies in Johannesburg during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship last season.
• The Springboks have only faced the Wallabies in Perth 10 times in history – the last of which was in 2024 when the Boks won by 30-12 – with both sides winning four matches each, and the two other matches finishing in a draw.
• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up are 527.
• There are 210 caps in the backline, with 317 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 342 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline are 30, the forwards 40, while the players on the bench average 43.