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Eben Etzebeth names 'biggest life achievement', issues Boks warning
Springboks talisman Eben Etzebeth has named the biggest achievement of his life and issued a warning to his country’s rivals ahead of their upcoming 2024 Test schedule.
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The 32-year-old is currently in London preparing for the Sharks’ EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final versus Clermont at the Twickenham Stoop this Saturday.
Away from training, he dropped by The Rugby Pod studio with club and country teammate Vincent Koch to chat with presenter Jim Hamilton, the former Scotland international, and guest presenter Dan Biggar, Etzebeth’s teammate at Toulon last season before the South African forward moved home ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Etzebeth joined the Sharks knowing that he and his wife were poised to start a new family and the second row has described their baby’s arrival as the thing ever.
Asked by Hamilton for a life update since the Springboks defeated the All Blacks six months ago in the final in Paris, Eztebeth said: “It’s been great. After the World Cup, we had about two weeks to take everything in and then we started at the Sharks again, so there wasn’t much downtime.
“Watching Chasing the Sun, most of those memories come back to you and jeez, all the stress of those last three games winning by one point, it was incredible reliving that again. But no, otherwise good. Life is good in Durban. Winter is approaching in South Africa but it’s never winter in Durban. Always great weather.
“Little one is now three months old. Great to be a dad. Probably my biggest achievement of my life. Yes, hardest as well. All the dads always tell me you can’t explain that feeling until you hold the little one in your hands the first time… Awesome.”
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Switching to rugby, Biggar asked Etzebeth what his motivation is moving forward now that he is a back-to-back World Cup winner with South Africa. Eztebeth’s response was the attraction of a full Test calendar in 2024 unlike in 2020 when their first year as world champions was significantly curtailed due to the pandemic.
“After 2019 we didn’t really get a chance to play on home soil. We didn’t play any Test matches in 2020 because of covid so now it’s the first year after the World Cup we can go back and play six Test matches in front of home fans and they are very excited,” he enthused.
South Africa’s home schedule in 2024 includes a two-Test series versus Ireland in July in Pretoria and Durban followed by two late August/early September home matches against New Zealand in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
“Big drive for us will be to take the World Cup success into (2024) because to be honest between World Cups we haven’t won all the Test matches, we haven’t been as successful as we want to be so I think we would like to change that and be successful in this year’s Test matches.
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“There are obviously some massive ones coming up so it’s going to be a massive challenge for us.
“For me personally just putting on that Springboks jersey, playing for your country is the biggest honour you can have, and even after winning two World Cups just to get another Test match under my belt that is my motivation, that is what drives me.”
- Click the arrow below to listen to Eben Etzebeth on this week’s Rugby Pod
Comments on RugbyPass
There should be a smaller number of teams cut off to play finals after the regular season, of course. However, with all due respect, the Crusaders aren’t playing well enough to even make that cut. They may have a late rally, if they can get some key players back from injury, but this is still a speculation as it stands. They will still have to rely on other results going their way too - their season is now entirely out of their control.
10 Go to comments1 week for two cynical and dirty plays? Absolutely pathetic punishment. He should’ve at least received 2 weeks - 1 week per trip. The guy is a cheating moron and liability. He should go back to league.
2 Go to commentsTest rugby is different level Some players are just big time players when the stakes are high they play better. The boks often lost to AUS on tour as they wanted to beat AB. Even at school level this is the case where some guys play better in tough games.
41 Go to commentsLet’s hope he misses more than just the Force game or the Reds won’t get very far in the finals.
2 Go to commentsThanks Nick. I’m looking at the other 7 options in Australia and they don’t seem to be close behind Fraser at the moment? Even before reading this I thought he was well ahead. A random one - Slipper and Allalatoa seem to be getting well beaten in the scrum. I can’t remember this happening often before. Is it a technique/teamwork issue or are their bodies finally past it?
29 Go to commentsNZ is now entrenched in Div 2 of womens rugby. Canada would be thrashed by the likes of France or England. Europe are Div 1, with massive competitions, massive money…
2 Go to commentsBlackadder dies not deserve selection. He has not played enough games. Finau is just better. Kaino's replacement at Blindside On form TJ should be the starting 9 .
129 Go to commentsThe difference is Cotter..
6 Go to commentsThey can’t handle the level of comp in the NH. Pollard was a complete waste at Montpellier - and was the backup 12 when he left. Kitschoff was stealing his paycheque every week at Ulster,- getting absolutely rinsed by backup THs in the URC. There is a reason all the Boks go to Japan - they don’t have it in them to be able to compete. And yes, they won the RWC. Where Barnes and O'Keeffe were the direct reason for that tragedy occurring.
41 Go to commentsTrouble with Jones is he has so many impractical innovations. Kemeney wasn't good enough in any position for top level test rugby. I like how Vern has Papalii playing. He's always had the workrate when in form, although I'm not sure that he quite has Cane's mongrel.
29 Go to commentsPut those results on the old CV and send it in to the crusaders bro.
1 Go to commentsJust go with a top 6 system where the top 2 teams go straight to the semi-finals and the other 4 teams fight it out for the other 2 semi-final spots.
10 Go to commentsIt’s a shame that Baxter wasn’t nominated for DoR of the season. what he did is more impressive than McCall imo
1 Go to commentsSeveral boks said during World Cup they play so hard to give people back home hope. As an Englishman the Springboks Captain’s life story is an inspiration which should give us all hope and inspiration. Rather like that other great South African, Nelson Mandela
41 Go to commentsFox News, Tucker Carlson, Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan? Yikes.
1 Go to commentsThat is harsh though. Messi has/had a reputation for trying to keep his feet and keep dribbling for goal. Many of his brethren were the histrionic divers but not him.
2 Go to commentsMcReight is certainly one of the first picked. He’s going to be the glue, a Wallaby with some rugby IQ and the everywhere man for the Wallabies.
29 Go to commentsSophie De Goede is one of the best players we’ve ever produced. Kicked all the points, 2 try assists, line out takes, carries, tackles, charge downs… what a player
1 Go to commentsThe name “Kwagga” came to mind while I was reading this. And there’s another Sevens convert roaming the wide open kant at the Lions now - JC Pretorius. Keep an eye on him.
29 Go to comments2024 Rugby Championship: Sat, 10 Aug 2024 – Sat, 28 Sept 2024. Looking forward to watching the All Blacks coached by Scott Robertson, with or without the ‘dynamic’ qualities of Shannon Michael Frizell - see his display against South Africa at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium on July 15.
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