SA Rugby Player of the Year Winners since 1992 – The players of the South African national rugby team hold several international records. Several players from the South African national rugby team have joined the IRB and the International Hall of Fame.
The most capped player for South Africa is Victor Matfield with 127 caps. Matfield was the leading goalscorer of any nation in rugby history, with his 127 caps in 2011 this record is now surpassed by Alun Wyn Jones.
The most capped fullback is Bryan Habana, with 124 appearances over thirteen years. Percy Montgomery holds South Africa’s record for Test points with 893 points, which at the time of his international retirement placed him sixth on the all-time list of Test points-scorers (he is now eleven). (until 10 December 2019)
Morné Steyn holds the Springbok record for fastest 100 points (8 test matches) Although statistics for penalty kick success rates were not established until the late 1980s, it is believed that Steyn also holds the record for most successful penalty kicks in Tests. He had a streak of 41 successful shots on goal, which began in the Boks’ test against Italy on June 19, 2010 and ended on November 6, 2010 against Ireland.
SA Rugby Player of the Year Winners since 1992
1992: Tiaan Strauss
1993: Gavin Johnson
1994: Chester Williams
1995: Ruben Kruger
1996: André Joubert
1997: Os du Randt
1998: Gary Teichmann
1999: André Venter
2000: Breyton Paulse
2001: André Vos
2002: Joe van Niekerk
2003: Ashwin Willemse
2004: Schalk Burger
2005: Bryan Habana
2006: Fourie du Preez
2007: Bryan Habana
2008: Jean de Villiers
2009: Fourie du Preez
2010: Gurthrö Steenkamp
2011: Schalk Burger
2012: Bryan Habana
2013: Jean de Villiers
2014: Duane Vermeulen
2015: Lood de Jager
2016: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2017: Malcolm Marx
2018: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2019: Pieter-Steph du Toit
2020: Duane Vermeulen
2021: Siya Kolisi
2022: Eben Etzebeth
John Smit was the world’s most capped captain, having led South Africa in 82 of his 111 Tests. He has since been overtaken by Richie McCaw and Brian O’Driscoll.
The world’s top goal-scoring duo are Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, who started 62 tests together. Smit also played 46 consecutive matches for South Africa, which is a record. The leading test scorer is Bryan Habana with 67 international tests.
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