Rassie Erasmus: Willie le Roux deserves to get to 100 Tests

Le Roux is a long servant of South African rugby, getting his first cap in 2013 where he directed the attack from fullback with aplomb. His creative flair played a vital role in the Boks' attack in the 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign. Despite criticism, Le Roux battled through a shoulder injury to help guide the Boks to a third World Cup title.

Fast forward to the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign and Le Roux's experience was in full display, only this time from the bench. The playmaker was used effectively off the bench in the knockout matches, his utility allowing the Boks to use their fabled 7-1 bench split.

Now, at 35-years-old and 98 caps into his glittering international career, the veteran is heading for his last hurrah. On the end-of-year tour in 2024, Le Roux featured in just one match as Erasmus opted to explore other options at fullback.

Nipping at his heels is a plethora of young talent. Aphelele Fassi was brilliant in 2024, while the more experienced Damian Willemse has proven his mettle in green and gold already. But the talent runs deep. Cheslin Kolbe is also able to fill in at fullback, while youngsters Jordan Hendrikse, Siya Masuku, Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu need playmaking opportunities as the Boks build for the future.

The World Champions have at least six home games this season and Erasmus all but confirmed that Le Roux will get to his career milestone on South African soil, much like Eben Etzebeth when he became the most capped Bok last September in Nelspruit.

"When Eben played his [128th] Test, we wanted to play that game in South Africa when he broke the record," Erasmus told the press recently.

"We want to start a player when it's his 100th game. We would've loved to give Willie his 100th Test last year, but Fassi was just playing so well.

"So we don't want to give away freebies. He is two games away.

"Sacha and Damian haven't played for a while. Fassi and Manie is currently injured. Jordan and Siya Masuku is coming through. And Cheslin can play fullback.

"We will never put a player's personal interest above the team. But Willie deserves to get to 100 games.

"We're playing 15 matches with 14 being Tests, so hopefully he'll get his 100th Test this year."

READ MORE: Rising star Jurenzo Julius growing in leaps and bounds with the Sharks