Etzebeth ‘a rock in the Bok side’

Did you know that Eben Etzebeth started his rugby life as a backline player?

Yes, the Springbok enforcer – the heart of the pack, the man who sets the tone physically, the No 4 lock with the “crazy eyes” – was a centre at Tygerberg High School in Cape Town.

Following a big growth spurt, Etzebeth made his way into the pack of forwards, becoming a lock alongside schoolmate Marvin Orie, whom he would later partner at the Boks.

Etzebeth stands on the cusp of a new South African Test caps record. He will play in his 128th Test for the Boks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship finale against Argentina in Mbombela, eclipsing the 127 mark set by another legendary lock, Victor Matfield.

It is an unusual Mpumalanga setting for Etzebeth, a born-and-bred Capetonian, to break the record. But he is someone who has always done things a bit differently.

The 32-year-old took the surprise step to play Varsity Cup rugby for UCT instead of Maties after school, considering his Afrikaans background. He was so good as a student player that he became a Springbok the next year in 2012, having produced several outstanding performances for the Stormers in his first season of Super Rugby.

Etzebeth’s development was so rapid that he replaced a Bok legend, Bakkies Botha, in the national team, leading to Botha’s Test retirement in 2014. His longevity since has seen him miss very few Bok Tests, despite a few major injuries for his clubs, which played a part in him leaving French side Toulon in 2022 after three years.

Again, he opted for the road less travelled as he returned to South Africa to join the Sharks instead of his beloved Stormers in Cape Town.

He inspired the Durban side to the Challenge Cup title in Europe last year and played a massive role in the Boks’ second consecutive Rugby World Cup title in France. His try in the quarter final against the host nation was one to remember, as he took two or three tacklers with him over the line.

Etzebeth is a rock in the Bok side and has entered the debate about who the greatest South African rugby player is in history.

“As a former Springbok, I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most capped Springbok ever, and we are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him,” coach Rassie Erasmus said.

Let’s give 128 cheers to Eben Etzebeth!

Cape Times