Thhe first time Victor Matfield understood the essence of being a Springbok came in a bus ride from the team’s Umhlanga hotel to King’s Park in 2004.

As they were approaching the venue, he looked out to see a black man wearing a Springbok jersey, wildly waving a Springbok flag. He was in a wheelchair, hollering for all his worth.

The moment instantly crystalised the meaning of the Bok jersey to Matfield, who freely admits that he had craved the cash and the fame that came his way as a Springbok. Until that day. It was a sight that humbled him, and changed him.

Matfield tells the story to illustrate the impact the Springboks have on so many South Africans. “Every time you play, you make a difference.”

He represented his country a record 127 times, a minor miracle given the game’s brutal rate of attrition, not to mention the ever-present politicking.

The great lock forward is one of just 53 people in world rugby to have represented his country more than 100 times. There are just four other South Africans who have done so.

It’s a rare feat indeed: only three of every 1000 Test players go on to crack a century.

Beast Mtawarira plays his 92^nd tomorrow; he’s getting closer.

The 100 club is the most exclusive of unions, a gathering of greats that will be certified with the official launch of “Rugby Centurions” in London in November. Jason Leonard, the gnarled prop, will be the only “home” member from England. Others, too, will gather, from an array of places, including Romania, Portugal and Australia.

Neither Bill Gates nor Johann Rupert can crack it: entry is available only to those who have worn their national jersey 100 times

But it’s much less a club than a mission. Quite apart from celebrating these heroes, women players among them, the grouping intends to help fund a foundation dedicated to player welfare, rugby development projects and supporting players and families who have fallen on hard times.

Max Brito, who suffered a catastrophic neck injury during the 1995 Rugby World Cup that left him paralysed, will be among the first beneficiaries.

Unsurprisingly, business titan Gavin Varejes is among the chief architects of the vision. “Anything that puts a light on this great game is worth pursuing,” says the man behind the SA Rugby Legends, and so much else.

John Smit, capped 111 times, proudly says it’s the toughest membership to acquire in the world. He’s had the job of travelling the world and finding the 52 other centurions to share the club’s raison d’etre. “It’s been easier to get my four-year-old to eat breakfast without messing,” he quipped. “Rugby Centurions will give us two things: a platform and an opportunity to give back.”

The response has been warm and enthusiastic, not least from Brett Gosper, the boss man at World Rugby.

The club will be dynamic, shifting and shaping according to requirements. There are plans to host an annual gala dinner where new members will be inducted.  The foundation’s work will be showcased, and the members honoured. There’s a book in the works, too, and a documentary; even a clothing line.

It will be a source of ideas and influence, steered by six magnificent custodians in Philippe Sella, George Gregan, Richie McCaw, Smit, Leonard and Brian O’Driscoll.

The royal stamp of approval will be issued by Prince Albert II, the club’s patron, ensuring the foundation has gravitas and influence beyond the usual margins.

Giants among men (and women) indeed.
THE CENTURIONS

In order of Caps received	Player	Country	Date Capped	Caps
1	Philippe Sella	France	26/6/1994	111
2	David Campese	Australia	23/10/1996	101
3	Jason Leonard	England	15/2/2003	119
4	George Gregan	Australia	31/7/2004	139
5	Fabien Pelous	France	12/3/2005	118
6	Donna Kennedy	Scotland	18/3/2007	115
7	Stephen Larkham	Australia	7/7/2007	102
8	Alessandro Troncon	Italy	19/9/2007	101
9	Gareth Thomas	Wales	29/9/2007	103
10	Louise Rickard	Wales	15/3/2008	112
11	Percy Montgomery	South Africa	16/8/2008	102
12	George Smith	Australia	18/7/2009	111
13	John Hayes	Ireland	27/2/2010	107
14	Brian O’Driscoll	Ireland	13/3/2010	141
15	Chris Paterson	Scotland	13/3/2010	109
16	John Smit	South Africa	21/8/2010	111
17	Victor Matfield	South Africa	28/8/2010	127
18	Ronan O’Gara	Ireland	6/11/2010	130
19	Stephen Jones	Wales	4/6/2011	110
20	Amy Garnett	England	13/8/2011	100
21	Richie McCaw	New Zealand	24/9/2011	148
22	Mils Muliaina	New Zealand	9/10/2011	100
23	Nathan Sharpe	Australia	21/10/2011	116
24	Martyn Williams	Wales	2/6/2012	104
25	Keven Mealamu	New Zealand	20/10/2012	132
26	Andrea Lo Cicero Vaina	Italy	9/2/2013	103
27	Tony Woodcock	New Zealand	24/8/2013	118
28	Sergio Parisse	Italy	16/10/2013	126
29	Martin Castrogiovanni	Italy	16/10/2013	119
30	Gethin Jenkins	Wales	16/11/2013	134
31	Dan Carter	New Zealand	16/11/2013	112
32	Marco Bortolami	Italy	1/2/2014	112
33	Adam Jones	Wales	14/6/2014	100
34	Mauro Bergamasco	Italy	21/6/2014	106
35	Bryan Habana	South Africa	6/9/2014	124
36	Jean de Villiers	South Africa	13/9/2014	109
37	Adam Ashley-Cooper	Australia	18/10/2014	116
38	Paul O’Connell	Ireland	14/3/2015	115
39	Rochelle Clark	England	21/3/2015	122
40	Vasco Uva	Portugal	30/5/2015	101
41	Ma’a Nonu	New Zealand	9/10/2015	103
42	Sean Lamont	Scotland	10/10/2015	105
43	Alun Wyn Jones	Wales	17/10/2015	119
44	Matt Giteau	Australia	18/10/2015	103
45	Stephen Moore	Australia	18/10/2015	122
46	Ross Ford	Scotland	12/11/2016	111
47	Rory Best	Ireland	26/11/2016	104
48	Tamara Taylor	England	11/2/2017	108
49	Merab Kvirikashvili	Georgia	19/2/2017	106
50	Jamie Heaslip	Ireland	10/3/2017	100
51	Florin Vlaicu	Romania	11/3/2017	104
52	Davit Kacharava	Georgia	10/6/2017	102
53	Kieran Read	New Zealand	8/7/2017	102