For the third Test against France at Ellis Park on Saturday.
– The total Test caps for the Springbok starting lineup is 302. There are 106 caps in the backline, with 196 caps among the forwards. There are a further 137 caps on the bench .
– The average caps per player in the backline are 15, the forwards 25, while the players on the bench average 17.
– The average age of the starting XV is 26.
– Debutant Ruan Dreyer's Springbok number will be 886.
– The tallest player in the squad is Eben Etzebeth (2.04m) and the shortest Rudy Paige (1.67m). The heaviest player is Steven Kitshoff (125kg) and the lightest player is Paige (80kg).
– The Test at Ellis Park will be the 42nd Test match between the Springboks and France. They have played in four Test matches at this venue since 1958. The Boks lost all four.
– The overall Springbok record for those four Test matches: P 4; W 0, L4; PF: 59; PA: 78; TF: 5; TA: 4; Average score: 15-20. Win%: 0%.
– South Africa’s home record against France: P: 23; W: 12; L: 6; D: 5; PF: 512; PA: 351; TF: 53; TA: 31; Win%: 52%.
– South Africa’s overall record against France: P: 41; W: 24; L: 11; D: 6; PF: 857; PA: 607; TF: 97; TA: 55; Win%: 59%.
– Beast Mtawarira will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok prop, with 90 caps in this position. He is the third most experienced Bok forward – only Victor Matfield and John Smit have played in more Test matches for South Africa.
– Frans Steyn needs 18 points to reach 150 points in Test rugby.
– Should Steven Kitshoff be used off the bench he will equal the record for most Test matches from the bench (13) before his first start in a Test match. The other two Boks who co-hold the record are Coenie Oosthuizen (first start against Scotland, 2013) and Siya Kolisi (first start against Samoa, 2015).
– Three tries by South Africa will bring up the 100th try in 104 years of Test rugby against France and one penalty goal by South Africa will bring up the 100th penalty goal as well.
– The referee is Angus Gardner of Australia. He made his Test debut as a referee in November 2011 in the match between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. To date, he has refereed 10 Test matches. This Test will be his third which involve the Boks. Of the previous two Tests, one was lost and one won.
– The assistant referees are Ben O’Keeffe and Glen Jackson, both of New Zealand, while Rowan Kitt of England will again officiate as TMO.
– Ellis Park has a seating capacity of 61,519.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
