Aus v SA: Factfile and milestones
As the Springbok team continues to gain in experience and rack up Test caps by the fistful there are plenty of records and milestones being reached in almost every Test. Here is a list of records being broken and who is on the verge of making history this Saturday.
· This would be the sixth test match between Australia and South Africa at this venue. Australia won all five previous encounters with scores 32-20 (1997), 32-6 (1999), 29-9 (2003), 49-0 (2006) and 21-6 (2009).
· Eighteen tries were scored by them and they conceded only three tries – all of them in the test match in 1997. In the last four tests South Africa could not cross Australia’s try line.
· The losing margin of 49 in 2006 is the biggest losing margin against Australia in 68 tests and it is also South Africa’s second biggest losing margin against any team.
· During last year’s Vodacom Tri-Nations tournament the Springboks lost their only test of the tournament at this venue. South Africa’s only win at this venue was during the 2003 RWC when they triumphed 60-10 against Samoa.
· South Africa’s Vodacom Tri-Nations record against Australia is: Played 31; Won 16; Lost 14; Drawn 1. Tries scored 60 and tries conceded 67.
Milestones and Record Watch
· Victor Matfield will play his 20th test against Australia thereby equalling Percy Montgomery’s record of most capped Springbok against Australia.
· This test will also be Matfield’s 39th Vodacom Tri-Nations test, the third most capped player in the tournament with Stephen Larkham. George Gregan (48) and George Smith (41) being the top two players.
· Bryan Habana needs one try to become South Africa’s most prolific try scorer in tests. Bryan currently shares the record with Joost van der Westhuizen on 38 test tries. Bryan will equal Breyton Paulse’s record of most capped Springbok wing in this test.
· Morné Steyn is one of only eight players who scored more than 100 career points in the Vodacom Tri-Nations (114 in 8 appearances). Dan Carter tops the list with 383 points in 27 appearances. Morné needs one drop goal to equal André Pretorius’ tournament record of four career drop goals.
· Should CJ van der Linde score a try, he will equal the Springbok record for most tries in tests as a prop. The current record is jointly held by Chris Koch and Os du Randt with five career tries.
· Should John Smit score a try, he will equal the Springbok record for most tries in tests as a hooker. The current record is jointly held by James Dalton and Bismarck du Plessis with five career tries. John will be playing in his 25th Vodacom Tri-Nations test as captain, the most capped captain in the tournament.
· Should Pierre Spies score a try, he will become the sole Springbok record holder for most tries in tests as an eighthman. The current record of six career tries is jointly held by Gary Teichmann, Joe van Niekerk, Bob Skinstad and Spies.
· The career record of tries scored in the Vodacom Tri-Nations is 16 by Christian Cullen. The most career tries by a Springbok are seven scored by Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana.
Other notable record holders are:
· Jaque Fourie: Most tries in tests as a centre – 24; also most capped Springbok centre – 48.
· Butch James: Most capped Springbok flyhalf – 34.
· John Smit: Most capped Springbok hooker – 83, most capped Springbok forward – 98; and most capped Springbok captain – 72 which is also a World record.
· Victor Matfield: Most capped Springbok lock – 97.
· Schalk Burger: Most tries in tests as a flank – 11, also most capped Springbok flank – 58.
