Deon Fourie set to become oldest Springbok ever at 39 years and 338 days

Deon Fourie is on the verge of becoming the oldest player ever to represent South Africa, after being named among the replacements for the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Stormers forward will be 39 years and 338 days old if he takes the field — eclipsing the record set by Victor Matfield, who was 38 years and 172 days when he made the last of his 127 appearances for the Springboks in the semi-final of Rugby World Cup 2015. Schalk Brits came closest to threatening that mark, earning a cap at 38 years and 145 days in 2019, but neither man will hold the record if Fourie is pressed into action.

Fourie is already the Springboks’ oldest debutant, having won his first cap in a 13-12 defeat to Wales in 2022 at the age of 35. Eleven of his 13 caps have come as a replacement, and his most recent appearance was in the Rugby World Cup 2023 final — also against the All Blacks — when he replaced starting hooker Bongi Mbonambi in the early stages.

After three years out of the international picture, partly due to long-term injury problems, the hybrid hooker and flanker reminded head coach Rassie Erasmus of his worth with a strong showing for the Stormers during the build-up to the four-Test series with New Zealand. Erasmus has recalled him as cover for Malcolm Marx at hooker, with Fourie also capable of playing at No.8.

While Fourie is poised to rewrite Springbok history, he would not become the oldest men’s Test rugby player from a Rugby Championship or Six Nations nation. That broader list is dominated by front-row forwards, with France’s Alfred Roques, Ireland’s Johnny Sexton and Australia’s Greg Holmes among those who have played on into their late thirties at international level.

What makes Fourie’s story particularly striking is the arc of his career — a late international debut, a serious injury setback, and now a recall that could see him make history at an age when most players have long since retired.