IN PICTURES: Jets, tears, and a broken curse - Pieter-Steph du Toit celebrates 100th Test with win over All Blacks

Over the years, South Africans have been captivated by the sight of aircraft roaring overhead, igniting thrilling rugby encounters. On Saturday, two such planes — one black and the other green — swooped low over Cape Town's Table Mountain, prompting the entire DHL Stadium to stand in unison. The crowd exhaled as the stadium's roof was lifted once again, this time solely by the roar of the crowd.

Masses of supporters, hailing from various towns, had gathered in Cape Town to witness Pieter-Steph du Toit achieve his 100th Test with a triumph over the formidable All Blacks. No Springbok player had previously accomplished this feat. Percy Montgomery succumbed to defeat after reaching a century at Newlands, followed by former captain John Smit suffering heartbreaking loss in front of 90,000 spectators at FNB Stadium.

Jean de Villiers experienced a similar setback in Wellington, and Damian de Allende fell short last week at Ellis Park. As du Toit emerged from the tunnel, he was flanked by his wife, Willemien, and their three offspring, including a young boy who bore his father's name, Pieter Stephanus du Toit. This gesture evoked profound emotions, with Stellenberg High School leading a flag procession, and former Idol winner Sasha-Lee Davids passionately leading the national anthem.

Olympic gold medalist Chad le Clos, who carried the flag, could not resist shedding tears, recognizing the significance of du Toit's journey. The tragic loss of his left leg due to a vascular injury and acute compartment syndrome in 2020, which threatened to end his career, was a harrowing chapter. Du Toit's resilience shone through as he returned to the Springbok jersey after a 16-month hiatus.

His career is adorned with multiple accolades, including a World Cup victory from 2019, a second in 2023, a British & Irish Lions series win in 2021, and two World Rugby Player of the Year awards. As referee Angus Gardner signaled the commencement of the match, the intensity mirrored the pre-match atmosphere, with Springbok center Jesse Kriel breaking through close to the posts within the first two minutes.

The teams exchanged blows, resulting in a few tries, but the atmosphere reached a fever pitch when Springbok captain Siya Kolisi crossed the whitewash before rallying the crowd to support their team. Despite the All Blacks' relentless efforts, South Africa emerged victorious, finally breaking Du Toit's century curse. Cheslin Kolbe's outstanding performance epitomized du Toit's contribution to the match.