Most Capped Test Players Of All Time

May 22, 2019
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Ultimate Rugby

A number of test stars will be hanging up their boots following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year.

With that in mind, we take a look at which individuals could move up the list of most capped test internationals of all time.

Rory Best - Ireland

Rory Best currently has 117 caps to his name and sits tied 13th on the all-time list of test internationals. Ireland have 4 pre World Cup tests before their 4 pool matches at the World Cup. If Ireland were to reach the Final of the showpiece and Best were to feature in all the pre World Cup tests as well as all the games leading up to and including the final he could finish his career with 128 test caps which would move him above the likes of Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Martin Castrogiovanni, Jason Leonard, Fabien Pelous and Tony Woodcock.

Alun Wyn Jones - Wales

Alun-Wyn Jones is yet to announce that he will retire after the Rugby World Cup in Japan and at the age of 33, he may continue to lead Wales after the World Cup. Like Ireland, Wales have 4 pre World Cup matches and could take his test cap tally to 145 if Wales made the Rugby World Cup Final. That would put the Welsh International past George Gregan, Brian O'Driscoll and just three caps away from Richie McCaw.

Sergio Parisse - Italy

The 2019 Rugby World Cup will be Parisse's fifth and final World Cup and the 139 test cap international is likely to move above former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll on the all-time list.

Kieran Read - New Zealand

Read will lead the All Blacks at a Rugby World Cup as New Zealand look to win the World Cup for the third time in a row. New Zealand have 5 test matches before the World Cup and if they were to reach the final and Read were to feature in all the tests leading up to the final Read would finish his test career with 130 test caps. That tally would make him the third most capped All Black behind McCaw and Mealamu.

Tendai Mtawarira - South Africa

The South African loosehead, affectionally known as 'The Beast' currently has 107 test caps and has not indicated that 2019 will be his final year of test rugby. Like the All Blacks, the Springboks have 5 test matches ahead of the World Cup.

The front rower needs just 5 test caps to become the third most capped Springbok of all time, overtaking World Cup Winning captain John Smit as well as former captain and centre Jean de Villiers.

Most capped