Eben Etzebeth has downplayed being set to equal the record for the most capped Springbok in a potential title-deciding Rugby Championship match against Argentina on Saturday.
A win for the visiting team in northern city Santiago del Estero will make the four-time World Cup title-holders southern hemisphere champions for the fifth time since the Tri-Nations launched in 1996.
Etzebeth, a 32-year-old who debuted for the Springboks in 2012, has been named among the eight replacements and will equal the 127-cap record of Victor Matfield if he plays off the bench.
But the forward was reluctant to talk about his impending achievement as the Springboks prepared to take on Los Pumas, the only team who can overtake them in the standings with two rounds left.
“I would prefer to discuss the record when it occurs. I am uncomfortable talking about issues before they happen,” Etzebeth said.
“Were I to equal the record of the great Victor Matfield this weekend, then overtake it when we play Argentina again next weekend in Mbombela, it will be fantastic.
“I understand that back home now there is a lot about me in the various media, so it is difficult to completely ignore the looming record.
“However, I am committed to keeping my feet firmly on the ground and concentrating on the task at hand, which is defeating the Pumas and winning the Rugby Championship.
“We are about to face opponents who scored 67 points in their last outing (against Australia) so it is all about hard work and thorough preparations.
“Rugby is a great leveller. The minute you think that a record makes you special, the legs can be kicked out from under you.”
South Africa have accumulated 18 points — eight more than Argentina — from two victories each over Australia and defending champions New Zealand.
This means the Springboks need three points to be certain of first place , and have two opportunities to succeed the All Blacks as champions as they host the Pumas on September 28 in Nelspruit.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
