Most Capped Super Rugby XV Of All Time
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Most Capped Super Rugby XV Of All Time
To celebrate the return of rugby and in particular Super Rugby, we take a look at the most capped Super Rugby team of all time.
1. Wyatt Crockett - Crusaders, 202
A true legend of the competition, the man known as Croczilla in Christchurch amassed over 200 Super Rugby caps for his beloved Crusaders. His tally of 202 appearances in the competition is 23 caps more than the next best tally from Liam Messam who earned 179 caps for the Chiefs.
The nearest loosehead prop is former Sharks' loosehead Tendai Mtawarira who earned 159 caps for the Durban-based side, with no South African playing more.
2. Stephen Moore - Reds and Brumbies 176
The former Wallabies captain pips former Blues and Chiefs rake Keven Mealamu by a single cap.
Moore's 176 caps are spilt between two stints at the Reds as well as an eight-year stay at the Brumbies.
3. Ben Alexander - Brumbies, 154
Ben Alexander played for the Brumbies and Wallabies enjoying a decade long career making both his Super Rugby and test debut in 2008.
Alexander spent his entire Super Rugby career at the Brumbies and cemented his place in the starting line up and made 154 appearances for the Canberra outfit learning 72 test caps.
4. Victor Matfield - Cats and Bulls, 148
The Springbok and Bulls legend led the Bulls to three Super Rugby titles having kicked off his Super Rugby career with the Cats in 1999.
Matfield initially retired in 2011 before returning to the Bulls to have another crack at a Rugby World Cup in 2015 and took his Super Rugby cap tally to 148.
Matfield is the third most capped South African in the competition after the Beast and Adriaan Strauss.
5. Nathan Sharpe - Reds and Western Force, 162
Another legend of Australian rugby, Nathan Sharpe is the third most capped player from Australia in Super Rugby.
A master of the lineout, Sharpe started his career at the Reds before joining the Western Force when the side was included in Super Rugby.
6. Liam Messam - Chiefs, 179
The second most Super Rugby player of all time, Liam Messam was an integral part of the Chiefs' Super Rugby squad between 2006 and 2018.
The versatile back-rower will go down as one of the all-time great Chiefs and left the side following the conclusion of the 2018 season to join Top14 side Toulon.
7. George Smith - Brumbies and Reds 164
One of the greatest players of all time, George Smith made the Brumbies #7 jersey his own from his first year as a professional.
The dynamic back-rower would have stints away from the Brumbies between 1999 and 2013 but still managed to make an enormous 142 appearances for the side.
He returned later in his career to play two seasons at the Reds making a further 22 appearances in the competition. His long time foe, Richie McCaw managed 145 appearances for the Crusaders.
8. Kieran Read - Crusaders, 156
A long time leader and integral member of the Crusaders pack, Kieran Read racked up 156 Super Rugby appearances with the Crusaders winning four titles the first of which coming in just his second season with the side.
He was the last remaining member of the 2008 squad when the side won their first title in a decade in 2017.
9. Andy Ellis - Crusaders, 154
The former Crusaders halfback may soon lose his spot to Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara both of which have played over 130 times for the Highlanders and Hurricaens respectively.
However, Ellis takes the 9 jersey after representing the Crusaders for more than a decade winning the competition twice during his time at the side.
10. Christian Lealiifano - Brumbies, 150
With Dan Carter back at 141 Super Rugby caps, former Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano takes the #10 jersey.
The talented playmaker played his 150th and final game for the Brumbies in their semi-final defeat to the Jaguares in 2019 and could well have increased his tally had he not missed most of the 2017 season due to his battle with leukaemia.
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper - Brumbies and Waratahs, 154
Wing, centre and fullback, Adam Ashley-Cooper could do it all. The versitle back played for both the Waratahs and Brumbies during his Super Rugby career.
He claims a spot on the wing in our side but could have comfortably slotted in at fullback or centre.
12. Ma'a Nonu - Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders, 174
One of the best in his position, Ma'a Nonu played the last of his 174 Super Rugby games for the Blues but also had stints with both the Hurricanes and Highlanders having debuted back in 2000.
13. Ryan Crotty - Crusaders, 152
Another legend of the red jersey, Ryan Crotty slotted in at both inside and outside centre during his 14-year-long career at the Crusaders which came to an end with a third consecutive title.
In total, Crotty won Super Rugby five times with the Crusaders.
14. Ben Smith - Highlanders, 153
Ben Smith's decade long Super Rugby career saw the incredibly talented outside back lead his beloved Highlanders to their maiden Super Rugby title in 2016.
He also scored an incredible 39 times for the side.
15. Kurtley Beale - Waratahs and Rebels, 156
At 31, Beale has already racked up over 150 appearances in Super Rugby despite having a stint overseas, the Wallaby playmaker is set to join Racing 92 later this season but don't be too surprised if he returns for another crack at Super Rugby thereafter.
