Eben Etzebeth claims he was targeted by the Irish media for calling Ireland’s players “arrogant” following the World Cup clash with the Springboks.

The Springboks are locked and loaded to face Ireland for the first time since last year’s World Cup pool match, which Andy Farrell’s side won 13-8.

That result took Ireland’s winning run against the Springboks to three in a row, stretching back to 2017.

Earlier this year, Etzebeth stoked the fire for the two-Test series against Ireland, by accusing them of showing arrogance after the World Cup clash.

During an appearance on an episode of The Rugby Pod with Jim Hamilton, Etzebeth said he was stunned by Ireland telling the Springboks they would see them in the World Cup final after the match.

Etzebeth’s comments caused a stir in Ireland, but the Springbok lock stood by what he said during a press conference ahead of the first Test of the series in Pretoria on Saturday.

“Yeah, I would say the Irish media definitely targeted me after that incident,” Etzebeth said, referring to his podcast appearance. “I said what I said.

“I see a lot of them said, ‘How could you count exactly to that certain amount?’ You obviously give an estimate. It was definitely at least six or seven and was not more than 20 of them. So, I just gave an estimate.

“We will never, after a game, tell a team that we’ll see you in the final if there is so much rugby still to be played.

“Maybe that was their way of saying that we are a good side and that we might make it all the way through, but people interpreted what I said wrong and took it out of context.”

Saturday’s match will see Etzebeth earn his 121st Test cap, as he closes in on the appearance record set by Victory Matfield (127).

“It feels like the pressure increases, the more games that you play,” Etzebeth said. “You understand more what it’s about, how important it is, how big it actually is.

“As you get older, there’s only so many years left, so many opportunities that you can get. So every Test that I’m part of is very special to me. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing against. It’s not about who you are playing against, it’s who you are playing for.

“When you wear that green and gold jersey, you give your all to make sure you come off that field as winners.”

Photo: Paul Harding/Gallo Images

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