No victory for centurion Montgomery
Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:58
Centurion Percy Montgomery at Newlands
Percy Montgomery became the first South African to make 100 Test appearances, but there was no victory celebration for the veteran fullback at Newlands on Saturday in a game in which the All Blacks beat the Springboks 19-0.
The 34-year-old fullback entered the field with his son and daughter to thunderous applause from a capacity 45,000 crowd before captain and lock Victor Matfield led out the rest of the Springboks.
Montgomery, also the leading South Africa Test points scorer with 887, made his debut 11 years ago against the British Lions and was a key figure in the 2007 World Cup-winning team.
But his 100th Test appearance made pundits recall his first Bok Test - as Montgomery fumbled his way through the game, failed to kick his goals and was eventually replaced by Conrad Jantjes in the second half.
Most international rugby union caps:
139-George Gregan, Australia (1994-2007)
118-Fabien Pelous, France
(1995-2007)
114-Jason Leonard, England (1990-2004)
111-Philippe Sella, France (1982-95)
102-Stephen Larkham, Australia (1996-2007)
101-David Campese, Australia (1982-96)
101-Alessandro Troncon, Italy (1994-2007)
100-Gareth Thomas, Wales (1995-2007)
100-Percy Montgomery, South Africa (1997-2008)
98-Raphael Ibanez, France (1996-2007)
94-Colin Charvis, Wales (1996-2007)
93-Serge Blanco, France (1980-91)
92-Sean Fitzpatrick, New Zealand (1986-97)
92-Gareth Llewellyn, Wales (1989-2004)
91-Malcolm O'Kelly, Ireland (1997-2008)
90-Olivier Magne, France (1997-2007)
Leading point-scorers in Test rugby (x - still active):
1,099-x-Jonny Wilkinson (England, British and Irish Lions)
1,090-Neil Jenkins (Wales, British and Irish Lions)
983-Diego Dominguez (Italy)
967-Andrew Mehrtens (New Zealand)
911-Michael Lynagh (Australia)
887-x-Percy
Montgomery (South Africa)
878-Matthew Burke (Australia)
835-x-Ronan O'Gara (Ireland, British and Irish Lions)
800-x-Dan Carter (New Zealand)
733-Gavin Hastings (Scotland, British and Irish Lions)
SAPA
