Victor Matfield says Eben Etzebeth deserves to take over from him as the most-capped Springbok, with the lock set to go down as “one of the best Boks ever, if not the best”.
Etzebeth, with 126 Tests and one away from Matfield’s all-time record, is poised to reach the milestone in the green and gold jumper against Argentina over the next two weeks in the Rugby Championship.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s best enforcers, the second-row juggernaut was instrumental as the world champions beat New Zealand for a record four times in a row to claim the Freedom Cup at Cape Town Stadium two weeks ago.
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The 32-year-old Etzebeth made his Test debut on 9 June, 2012 at the age of 20 against England in Durban, and Matfield couldn’t be prouder to watch the two-time world champion overtake him.
“I don’t think there’s a better guy to do it,” Matfield was quoted by Sunday newspaper Rapport.
“Eben will definitely be remembered one day as one of the very best Boks ever, if not the best.
“He has a fantastic career and has already won two World Cups. He was also South Africa’s Player of the Year. He is on his way to 150 Tests. I was privileged to play some of his first Tests with him.
“It’s a privilege for me that the best Bok of all time takes over the record from me and that the record stays with the locks!”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Big Vic: Privilege for Eben to take my record appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
