Pieter Steph Du Toit: Springboks Star Determined to Break ‘Curse’ Against All Blacks in Cape Town
- Pieter-Steph du Toit will earn his 100th Springbok Test cap against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, 29 August
- Every Springbok centurion who has faced the All Blacks in their 100th Test has lost, making Du Toit's milestone even more loaded
- Du Toit captained South Africa when the Springboks fell to New Zealand in the opening Test in Johannesburg last weekend
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Pieter-Steph du Toit is on the verge of becoming only the 11th Springbok to earn 100 Test caps, but there is a peculiar piece of history riding on Saturday's clash against New Zealand at the Cape Town Stadium — one that gives his milestone appearance an extra edge.
No Springbok centurion has ever beaten the All Blacks on the occasion of their 100th cap. Du Toit has the chance to become the first.
A Curse That Stretches Back to 2008
Of South Africa's 10 existing Test centurions, four have faced New Zealand on their milestone match — and each one has come away empty-handed. Percy Montgomery was the trailblazer, becoming the first Springbok centurion on 16 August 2008 at Newlands. South Africa lost to the All Blacks 19-0 that day.
John Smit was next, captaining the Springboks in his 100th Test on 21 August 2010 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, only to fall short in a 29-22 defeat. Jean de Villiers suffered the same fate on 13 September 2014 in Wellington, where the Springboks went down 14-10. Most recently, Damian de Allende joined that unwanted club on 22 August 2026 at Ellis Park, where South Africa lost 33-16.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Four centurions. Four losses. All against the All Blacks.
Du Toit's Moment to Rewrite the Record Books
The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year will carry more than personal glory into Saturday's fixture. With South Africa already trailing in the series after the defeat in Johannesburg, Du Toit's 100th cap doubles as a series leveller. The 34-year-old loose forward will captain the side, expected to form a formidable back row alongside Jasper Wiese and Siya Kolisi, provided Kolisi recovers from his current fitness concern in time to start.
Should Kolisi take the field, South Africa will deploy their most capped starting XV in history, with the combined experience of the starting lineup reaching 1 012 Test caps — a staggering figure that underlines how much seasoned talent the Springboks are able to call upon.
Du Toit's career has already placed him firmly among South Africa's all-time greats. Victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town on his milestone occasion would, however, add a chapter no other Springbok centurion has been able to write.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
