The Springboks’ Rugby Championship title win in Nelspruit was huge for Eben Etzebeth and Rassie Erasmus’ men, who made the statement expected of champions, writes MARK KEOHANE.
South Africa scored seven tries to trounce Argentina 48-7 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday and win the southern hemisphere competition for the first time since 2019.
Etzebeth made a record-breaking 128th Test appearance in the green and gold jersey against Los Pumas. The 32-year-old forward led his teammates out before kick-off to thunderous applause from a capacity 43 578 crowd.
The two-time world champion was accompanied by his wife, Anlia, and baby daughter, in a break with the Bok tradition of a player running onto the field alone to celebrate a milestone.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane celebrates Etzebeth’s achievement in a dominant Bok win in the Republic. He emphasises how the towering lock, since debuting for the Boks in 2012, has consistently given his all for his country.
He argues that Etzebeth’s remarkable career, including a 62% winning record and dominance against most teams except New Zealand and Ireland, is a testament to his resilience and effort.
“It was Eben Etzebeth’s day in Mbombela on Saturday and the giant record-breaking Springboks lock took just 15 seconds to complete the first action of the game,” he writes.
“Within two minutes of the kick-off Etzebeth had made a tackle, made a pass, made a carry and taken a lineout ball. Etzebeth, who broke the iconic lock Victor Matfield’s record of 127 matches for the Boks, reveled in the occasion.
“He has played Argentina 22 times, second only to his 24 matches against the All Blacks, and Saturday’s triumph was his 17th against the big boys from Argentina. Saturday was big for Etzebeth and the Boks, who made the statement expected of champions.”
Keohane praises Damian de Allende’s physicality and Manie Libbok’s controlled play behind a powerful Bok scrum. Despite a scrappy second half, the South Africans had already secured the trophy by half time, showcasing their depth and superiority in key areas.
He also lauds Cheslin Kolbe as the world’s best winger and credits the Bok pack for their superiority in set pieces and collisions.
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
