Cape Town - Brumbies prop Ben Alexander has signed on to play his 10th successive season for the club, penning a new one-year deal for 2017.
The deal means Alexander could potentially overtake former team-mate George Smith as the Brumbies most-capped player (142 caps).
The 31-year old has played 129 matches for the Brumbies since scoring a try on debut against the Reds in Round Three, 2008.
Since then he has gone on to score 21 career tries, including a crucial five-pointer against the Reds at GIO Stadium in Round 15.
The Knox Grammar product is now the second most-capped prop in Wallabies history, making 72 appearances for the national side between 2008 and 2015. Alexander made his debut for the Wallabies in 2008 against France in Sydney after playing just six Super Rugby matches.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham said he’s happy the veteran prop has signed on for another season.
“”This is the fifth time we’ve re-signed Ben which shows you how valuable we believe he is to the club,” Larkham told the Brumbies' official website.
“He wants to continue to improve his game and at the same time help younger players coming through the ranks of ACT Rugby.
“Having players like Ben, Christian Lealiifano and Scott Fardy in the side next year will provide us with a level of experience that will be important to the squad.”
Alexander said he has taken his time to make this decision and is delighted to be staying in Canberra.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities rugby has given me both in Canberra and around the world,” he said.
“When I weighed everything up in deciding my future, it became quite clear that I wanted to be with the Brumbies in 2017.
“I feel like this team is moving in the right direction and will continue to have plenty of success over the next few years.”