The Springbok team that takes to the field against the All Blacks in Saturday’s second Vodacom Tri-Nations Test in Wellington, is the most experienced ever.

Springbok Test Factfile

• The Springbok team for this test is the most experienced side of all time with 700 caps among the starting XV (two more than the team that won the Rugby World Cup against England in 2007).

• This will be the fourth test match between New Zealand and South Africa at this venue.

• New Zealand have won all three previous encounters with scores 41-20 (2002), 35-17 (2006) and 19-8 (2008). They have scored eight tries and conceded five.

• South Africa’s Vodacom Tri-Nations record against New Zealand is: Played 32; Won 10; Lost 22. Tries scored 58 and tries conceded 80.

The Bok Team

15 Zane Kirchner – 8 caps

14 Jean de Villiers – 59 caps

13 Jaque Fourie – 58 caps (most capped Springbok as a centre with 47 caps)

12 Wynand Olivier – 30 caps

11 Bryan Habana – 61 caps (second most capped Springbok wing)

10 Morné Steyn – 16 caps

9 Ricky Januarie – 45 caps (third most capped Springbok scrumhalf)

8 Pierre Spies – 32 caps

7 Francois Louw – 5 caps

6 Schalk Burger – 58 caps (most capped Springbok as a flank with 57 caps)

5 Victor Matfield – 96 caps (most capped Springbok as a lock)

4 Danie Rossouw – 49 caps

3 CJ van der Linde – 60 caps (second most capped Springbok prop)

2 John Smit (Captain) – 97 caps (most capped Springbok as a hooker with 82 caps and World record holder for most caps as a Captain with 71 caps)

1 Gurthrö Steenkamp – 26 caps

Replacements:

16 Chiliboy Ralepelle – 13 caps

17 BJ Botha – 23 caps

18 Andries Bekker – 23 caps

19 Ryan Kankowski – 13 caps

20 Ruan Pienaar – 41 caps

21 Butch James – 48 caps

22 Gio Aplon – 5 caps

Milestones and Record Watch

• Should a conversion be kicked in this test match it will be the 700th conversion in South Africa’s test match history.

• Danie Rossouw will play his 50th test.

• Victor Matfield will play his 22nd test against New Zealand, the most by any Springbok.

• This test will also be Matfield’s 38th Vodacom Tri-Nations test thereby becoming the third most capped player in the tournament with Stephen Larkham. George Gregan (48) and George Smith (41) being the top two players.

• Bryan Habana needs one try to become South Africa’s most prolific try scorer in tests. Bryan currently shares the record with Joost van der Westhuizen on 38 test tries.

• Morné Steyn needs three successful penalty goals to equal Percy Montgomery’s career record of 20 penalty goals against New Zealand.

• Morné is one of only eight players who have scored more than 100 career points in the Vodacom Tri-Nations (107 in 7 appearances). Dan Carter tops the list with 375 points in 26 appearances.

• Morné needs one drop goal to equal André Pretorius’ tournament record of four career drop goals.

• Should CJ van der Linde score a try, he will equal the Springbok record for most tries in tests as a prop. The current record is jointly held by Chris Koch and Os du Randt with five career tries.

• Should John Smit score a try, he will equal the Springbok record for most tries in tests as a hooker. The current record is jointly held by James Dalton and Bismarck du Plessis with five career tries.

• John will be playing in his 24th Vodacom Tri-Nations test as captain, the most capped captain in the tournament. Richie McCaw will play in his 21st Vodacom Tri-Nations test as captain and will equal George Gregan’s previous record.

• Should Pierre Spies score a try, he will become the sole record holder for most tries in tests as an eighthman. The current record of six career tries is shared by Gary Teichmann, Joe van Niekerk, Bob Skinstad and Spies.

• The career record of tries scored in the Vodacom Tri-Nations is 16 by Christian Cullen. The most career tries by a Springbok is seven scored by Breyton Paulse, Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana.

• Other notable record holders are:

• Brian Habana – Most tries in tests as a wing – 38

• Jaque Fourie – Most tries in tests as a centre – 24; also most capped Springbok centre – 47

• Butch James – Most capped Springbok flyhalf – 34

• John Smit – Most capped Springbok hooker – 82, most capped Springbok forward – 97; also most capped Springbok captain – 71 which is also a World record

• Victor Matfield – Most capped Springbok lock – 96

• Schalk Burger – Most tries in tests as a flank – 10, also most capped Springbok flank – 57