Age-old rugby debate triggered over Bok prospect Ethan Adams

Adams, who is listed at 1.75m (5’9) and 104kg, ran straight through or shrugged off six defenders to score. He scored a second, equally violent 40 metre charge to the line in the same game, running over a hooker on his way.

The SA Rugby Magazine podcast summed up the moment simply: “He beat two guys with his feet and four guys with his body… built like a prop, but scores like a centre.”

SuperSport echoed that assessment, posting after the try: “The Junior Boks inside centre showing why he is regarded as one of the best young talents in the world.”

It’s nothing new for Adams, who has been scoring similarly destructive [and viral] tries at a schoolboy level and in the Bulls academy systems for the last few seasons.

Adams vs Julius in the Currie Cup. Can’t wait. pic.twitter.com/9dAOro5a95

— Riaan Louw (@Ringo26) April 27, 2026

But alongside the praise came familiar reservations. One South African rugby account wrote: “Ethan Adams had a good performance but I still think his physical size (height particularly) would make it awkward for him to thrive at 15s game as an inside centre (compare against Ethan Hooker [1.94m] for example). I think Adams should join the Blitzboks and become a flanker like Kwagga [Smith].”

That summed up a sceptical view held by some: while Adams’ power is not in dispute, his height is seen by some as a potential limiting factor at senior professional or Test level, particularly in the 12-channel.

The irony of that list was not lost on Adams’ defenders, many of whom used it to underline the opposite point. As the debate grew, comparisons became central. Oom Rugby laid out the numbers explicitly:

“On this, it is an interesting comparison… Ethan Adams 1,75m 104kg; Ngani Laumape 1,71m 103kg; Bundi Aki 1,78m 102kg; Scott Gibbs 1,74m 99kg… My feeling is it is less about size, and more that Ethan’s top speed after acceleration hits a ceiling.”

The move at 0:07 🙈
pic.twitter.com/Z8gPjxvmb0

— Johann Biermann 🇿🇦 (@JohannBiermann1) April 28, 2026

That post shifted the discussion away from height toward speed, suggesting Adams’ explosive acceleration may not be matched by elite top-end pace.

That, too, was challenged almost immediately. One response countered: “Literally every person in the world’s top speed hits a ceiling after accelerating. Ethan Adams runs a 100m in 10.8. speed is even worse an argument than height in comparison to the 3 others.”

Others rejected the premise entirely, arguing that Adams’ height is not a flaw but a key part of his effectiveness. One supporter wrote: “Low man wins… That compact, powerful build is exactly what you want in a ball carrier. Built like a [NFL] running back.”

Another added: “His height is part of his strength, there’s nowhere on his body that people can tackle where they won’t get hurt.”

The historical comparisons kept coming.

“If height mattered then Laumape would never have been an All Black. Adrian Jacobs would never have been a Springbok. Shane Williams would never have won World Player of the Year,” read one post. “Ethan Adams is a tank, he’s extremely talented and people will realise just how good he is soon.”

If you ask this rugby writer,  the response would be: If he’s good enough, he’s big enough.