Deon Fourie poised to become South Africa’s oldest Springbok if he takes the field in Cape Town

Deon Fourie could become South Africa’s oldest ever Springbok if he comes off the bench in Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

What would the milestone be?

According to The South African, Fourie will become South Africa’s oldest ever Springbok should he come off the bench against the All Blacks in Saturday’s Test in Cape Town.

According to The South African, kick-off is at 17:10.

According to The South African, the current record for oldest ever Springbok is held by veteran lock Victor Matfield, who was 38 years and 172 days old when he played his 127th and final Test against Argentina at the Olympic Stadium in London on 30 October 2015.

According to The South African, should he be called upon this weekend, Fourie would be 39 years and 338 days old.

Return to action

According to The South African, the match would mark Fourie’s first game back since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris, which was also against the All Blacks; the Springboks won that match 12-11 to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth occasion.

Where Fourie sits among the oldest Springboks

According to The South African, the current top five oldest ever Springboks are:

• Victor Matfield 30 Oct 2015 v Argentina, 38 years, 172 days
• Schalk Brits 8 Oct 2019 v Canada, 38 years, 145 days
• Duane Vermeulen 28 Oct 2023 v New Zealand, 37 years, 117 days
• Morné Steyn 14 Aug 2021 v Argentina, 37 years, 34 days
• Johan Ackermann 7 July 2007 v Australia, 37 years, 34 days

Quick factfile: Deon Fourie

According to The South African, key details for Fourie are:

• Full names: Deon André Fourie
• Date of birth: 25 September 1986
• Place of birth: Pretoria
• School: Pietersburg
• Springbok number: 927
• Physical: 1.77m, 100kg
• Test summary: Tests: 13; Tries: 2
• First Test: 9 July 2022 – Reserve against Wales at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
• Last Test: 28 October 2023 – Reserve against New Zealand at Stade de France, Paris

Matchday context

The Springbok matchday squad named for the Test includes Fourie among the replacements. Match officials named for the fixture include referee Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) and TMO Eric Gauzins (France).

If Fourie is brought on, he would surpass Matfield’s recorded mark and set a new age milestone for the Springboks.