Springbok fullback Willie le Roux on Sunday was given a surprise call-up to the national squad in Durban and train with the team until Wednesday as they prepare to face Argentina in their penultimate Rugby Championship match at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday, 27 September.
Kick-off is at 17:10.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus last week named a squad of 33 players for their two final matches of the tournament against the Pumas – the second of which will take place at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, 4 October.
Assist with preparations
With the team set to switch into full throttle at training this week, he called up Le Roux to assist in their preparations.
The latest Springbok centurion will return to the Bulls following the conclusion of the team’s main training block on Wednesday, making him available for selection for the Pretoria side’s opening United Rugby Championship match against the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld, also on Saturday, 27 September (at 14:00).
Usual ‘tricks’?
Why Le Roux wouldn’t be of more benefit to the Bulls by training with them instead of the Springboks, is somewhat puzzling – even after Erasmus attempted to explain the situation.
The Springboks do potentially have a shortage of players in the fullback position with Aphelele Fassi, who started the most recent Test against the All Blacks, ruled out through injury.
Is Rassie Erasmus up to his usual ‘tricks’ again?
“Willie is a member of our wider squad, and we feel it will benefit us to have him train with us early in the week,” said Erasmus.
“We try to train the way we play, and by having him in camp it will allow us to improve the quality of our training sessions ahead of this vital match.
“Every point will count in the next two games if we want to win the competition, so it’s essential that we get the most out of our training time to be as sharp as possible when we take the field.”
Erasmus added: “I’d like to thank Johan Ackermann and the Bulls for releasing him to train with us, and we wish them and the other South African teams the best of luck for the opening round of the URC.”
Get the wheels in motion
The Springboks assembled in Durban last week Thursday to begin their preparations for Saturday’s encounter and had training sessions on Friday and Saturday to get the wheels in motion following their return from New Zealand a week ago.
The Springboks are currently in second position on the Rugby Championship standings on 10 points, the same amount of log points as the third-placed All Blacks following their record 43-10 victory against their old foes in Wellington.
The Wallabies top the table on 11 points, with the fourth-placed Pumas on nine points, meaning the title race is wide open going into the closing two rounds.
Test centurion
Willie le Roux became just the eighth player to reach the magical 100-Test mark for the Springboks in July against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
The 36-year-old veteran fullback has now made 101 appearances in the green and gold jersey. One more and he’ll tie another former Springbok fullback, Percy Montgomery.
Le Roux become just the fourth backline player to reach the magical three-figure mark for South Africa.
It’s worth remembering that 952 players have pulled the famed green and gold jersey over their heads since 1891.
SOUTH AFRICA’S TEST CENTURIONS
| Player | Tests | Tries |
| Eben Etzebeth | 136 | 8 |
| Victor Matfield | 127 | 7 |
| Bryan Habana | 124 | 67 |
| Tendai Mtawarira | 117 | 2 |
| John Smit | 111 | 8 |
| Jean de Villiers | 109 | 27 |
| Percy Montgomery | 102 | 25 |
| Willie le Roux | 101 | 15 |
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner
Le Roux, who was born in Stellenbosch and attended famed Paul Roos Gymnasium, turned 36 on 18 August 2025.
He made his Test debut on 8 June 2013 against Italy at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban and has scored 15 tries to date.
Le Roux has won 69 of his Tests, lost 31 with one other ending in a draw for a win percentage of 68%.
He made his provincial debut for Boland Cavaliers and has also represented Griquas, Free State Cheetahs, Sharks and Blue Bulls in South Africa, as well as Wasps (England) and Canon Eagles and Toyota Verblitz (both Japan).
Le Roux is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner having been part of both the 2019 and 2023 Webb Ellis Cup-winning Springbok squads.
BIO: WILLIE LE ROUX
| Full name: Willem Jacobus le Roux | |
| Date of birth: 18 August 1989 | |
| Place of birth: Stellenbosch | |
| Schools: Strand, Paul Roos Gymnasium | |
| Springbok #848 | |
| Physical: 1.86m, 90kg | |
| Current age: 36 | |
