Saturday’s opening Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and Wallabies at Ellis Park in Johannesburg marked a significant occasion for veteran lock Eben Etzebeth who extended his record as the most capped Springbok of all time to 134 matches.
That feat also saw him break out of a tie with former Ireland scrumhalf Conor Murray in joint-11th place in the global pecking order to joint 10th position alongside Welsh prop Gethin Jenkins.
Only two players ahead of Etzebeth in the list – James Slipper and Beauden Barrett – are still playing.
Etzebeth should get the chance to claim 10th place on his own when the Springboks take on Australia for a second time this coming weekend in Cape Town.
At still only 33 years of age, there is plenty of time for Etzebeth to further climb the list before he hangs up his studs.
| Rank | Caps | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 170 | Alun Wyn Jones | Wales (158), British and Irish Lions (12) |
| 2 | 153 | Sam Whitelock | New Zealand |
| 3 | 148 | Richie McCaw | New Zealand |
| 4 | 147 | James Slipper | Australia |
| 5 | 142 | Sergio Parisse | Italy |
| 6 | 141 | Brian O’Driscoll | Ireland (133), British and Irish Lions (8) |
| 7 | 139 | George Gregan | Australia |
| T8 | 137 | Cian Healy | Ireland |
| T8 | 137 | Beauden Barrett | New Zealand |
| T10 | 134 | Gethin Jenkins | Wales (129), British and Irish Lions (5) |
| T10 | 134 | Eben Etzebeth | South Africa |
| Full names: Eben Etzebeth |
| Date of birth: 29 October 1991 |
| Place of birth: Cape Town |
| School: Tygerberg |
| Springbok #833 |
| Physical: 2.03m, 117kg |
| Current age: 33 |
| Test summary: Tests: 134 Tries: 7 |
| First Test: 9 June 2012 – Lock against England at Kings Park, Durban |
| Last Test: 16 August 2025 – Lock against Australia at Ellis Park, Johannesburg |
TEAMS
South Africa
TBA
Australia
TBA
Date: Saturday, 23 August
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:10
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Richard Kelly (Australia)
How many Tests will Eben Etzebeth have played by the time he retires?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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