Argentina’s 50-Cap Club

This afternoon Agustín Creevy became the 26th Puma to reach 50 caps. The Pumas captain led out his side against the might of the Springboks at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Creevy joins an illustrious list of Pumas past and present to have achieved the career milestone. His predecessor Mario Ledesma remains the most capped hooker with 84 caps.

Hugo Porta was the first Argentine player to reach 50 caps. Having made his debut against Chile in Montevideo on October 10 1971, he reached the milestone on September 17 1985. His 50th test came against Uruguay in Asunción, Paraguay. It took the legendary Porta a staggering 14 years to reach his half-century, while Martín Landajo reached the mark in eight years. Creevy has done so in 11 as he matches both Lucas González Amorosino and Mauricio Reggiardo with 50 today.

The players marked in bold are both still active and yet to retire from international duty. Of them Juan Martín Hernández, Martín Landajo, and Juan Manuel Leguizamón joined Creevy against South Africa today. Juan Manuel Leguizamón is the most capped active player with 68 caps. Should he play in all six matches of the Rugby Championship he will rise to 6th place overall with 74 caps. The 33-year-old could yet reach the top of the mountain. To do so he needs to overtake Felipe Contepomi’s record of 87 caps.

Also rapidly approaching the mark of 50 caps is Tomás Cubelli. The scrumhalf played as backup to Landajo today against the Springboks. It was his 49th test match appearance. Should he feature in the return fixture in Salta next weekend Cubelli will become the 27th Puma to earn 50 caps.

In Argentina’s 50-cap club are front rowers Mauricio Reggiardo and Federico Mendez. The duo were the starting props in the draw against the British & Irish Lions in Cardiff in 2005. With Marcelo Loffreda missing close to 30 front-line players he called up both out of international retirement for the fixture.