The number 7 has held a special significance at least from the time of the ancient Babylonians, who revered the seven sacred planets, and it is a crucial numeral in the Bible, as in the seven days of the Creation to the seven petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.

Evie Bagwell, 23, and Derek Novotny, 22, from Brownsville, Pa., say they chose the date for their wedding because of its spiritual significance. “The Bible explains 777 as being perfection, and that is how we feel together,” Ms. Bagwell said.

When Stephen Larkham was about 14, his father drove him from Canberra to witness his first Test, held at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Even then Larkham had an inkling that one day he would appear in the Wallabies green and gold. The teenager brought his football boots along to the SFS. It was just in case one of the Wallabies was injured and "they needed to call someone from the stands". "Growing up I loved rugby, and always thought I was going to play for Australia at some stage," Larkham said.

Belief is a crucial factor in any player's career. Endurance is another, and even Larkham seems mystified that despite achieving his dream of becoming a Wallaby, it would extend to a 100-plus Test career.

On Saturday against the Springboks at Telstra Stadium, the 33-year-old will become the third Australian player to reach the 100-Test milestone, following David Campese and George Gregan.

The celebrations will involve a special commemorative cap which will be presented to Larkham, who is without doubt one of the 10 greatest Wallabies ever, showing his versatility as a first-rate international fullback and five-eighth.

His career has involved hideous injuries, endless moments of courage, and jubilation - none better than his field goal in the 1999 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

But most importantly, he will be remembered for his ability through the most intelligent of football minds to repeatedly turn Test matches in Australia's favour.

Adding to the moment is that it will be Larkham and Gregan's last Test match on Australian soil. The pair have been playing side by side for 12 years at Test and provincial level, forging a tight bond.

"It will be a proud milestone, but to have George beside me will make it doubly special," Larkham said yesterday. "As it is our last Test in Australia, he'll be looking forward to it as much as I will be. But I won't be too emotional about it. There's a lot of work to be done before the match and the Springbok side they are sending out, although written off in the press, will be formidable.

"Potentially after the match is where the emotions will come in, and when I'll start thinking about it. Beforehand, it is certainly going to be business as usual."

Larkham's aspirations to be a Test footballer began well before he appeared as a self-conscious and gangly 21-year old with the ACT Brumbies in 1996. Within a few months of his provincial debut he had played the first Test as a replacement against Wales in Sydney.

"Growing up, I always watched the Bledisloe Cups. They were the biggest games in the year, and I always wanted to play for Australia against New Zealand at some stage," Larkham said.

"Back then, Australia only played three or four Test matches per year. So at the time to even think you could play 100 Tests was just irrational. The professional era has come, and I think a lot more guys will be reaching that milestone in the near future."

It will still be some time before another Australian achieves such a feat. The next closest is George Smith with 77 Test caps.