As Eben Etzebeth prepares to make his 100th Test appearance, SARugbymag.co.za takes a look back at the Springbok centurions who have come before him.

One of the greatest lineout exponents in the game, Victor Matfield also became the first Springbok to taste victory in his 100th Test appearance.

Fittingly, Matfield’s 100th cap came at Loftus Versfeld, the place he called home for the majority of his career, in the Tri-Nations clash with the Wallabies in 2010.

For most of his career, Matfield ruled the air and tormented opposition jumpers and hookers. His very presence in the Springbok second row – often alongside his Bulls ‘brother’ Bakkies Botha – gave South Africa a mental advantage over their opponents.

To fully appreciate Matfield’s value during his career, one only has to look back on the 2007 World Cup, where his efforts ensured the Springboks never lost a lineout throughout the tournament. The modern game places a massive emphasis on the set piece, from an attacking and defensive point of view, especially with how sophisticated defensive systems are.

That’s not to say that Matfield should be reduced to a lineout specialist: you don’t play over 100 Tests for a tier-one nation with just one trick up your sleeve. He was also an incredibly hard worker in open play and possessed an underrated ability with ball in hand. His record as a leader also speaks for itself as he is still the most successful Bulls captain in history.

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