Etzebeth Resurgent as South Africa Ties All Blacks Test Series

South African critics once believed Eben Etzebeth should retire and settle into a quiet life. A month ago, that seemed like a plausible outcome.

August arrived, bringing the highly anticipated historic tour from New Zealand. The most-capped Springbok had played just once all year, sidelined by an eye-gouge suspension, a hip injury, and a head knock, leaving doubts swirling.

His second match came against Argentina in hostile Buenos Aires on Aug. 8. Etzebeth was active but not sharp, yet the rust had been shaken off.

His third appearance was the first test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park. He started poorly, improved slightly, but was merely ordinary as South Africa suffered a stunning 33-16 defeat.

His fourth game, the second test in Cape Town last weekend, showcased the true Eben Etzebeth. He harried the All Blacks lineout, spoiled three attacking throw-ins, and snatched five catches. He also recorded 18 tackles, including two dominant ones, a stripped carrier, a contestable turnover, and an intercept. South Africa won 33-26.

Legendary Springbok lock Victor Matfield praised Etzebeth on the Rugby Rivals podcast. “He was under pressure in South Africa — ‘He hasn’t played a lot, he’s not in great form’ — but he stood out,” Matfield said. “At lineout time he was fantastic. His work rate was just unbelievable and that’s the Eben we know. For me, it was important that our most experienced player, in a week like this where there was a lot of pressure, stood up.”

The third test is scheduled for Saturday back in Johannesburg at FNB Stadium.

Etzebeth was thrust into the four-test series incomplete but does not question coach Rassie Erasmus’ decisions. When Erasmus took charge in 2018, Etzebeth accepted the move. He was captain in 2017 but stepped aside for Siya Kolisi, a friend since their teenage years.

“Being a Springbok became special again,” Etzebeth told The Verdict podcast. “We were willing to go to dark places to get victories and results. In the past it was almost like you were just happy to be a Springbok. Rassie got that belief, hunger and excitement back.”

Championship trophies returned as well, with South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023. Etzebeth started both finals.

Far from retirement

The introduction of the Bomb Squad is extending his career. He has started 133 of his 144 tests but does not finish as many as he once did. He claims it doesn’t bother him because failing to make the squad hurts more.

He wants to play as long as possible and has no set retirement year. He turns 35 next month and will be 36 the day before a potential 2027 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal between South Africa and New Zealand in Sydney.

“Every year the younger guys are just bigger, better and faster,” he said. “They push me to improve and that’s the way it should be.”

Etzebeth was the youngest Springbok to reach 50 tests (at 24 in 2016) and 100 tests (at 30 in 2022). His 100th test was in Cape Town so his father Harry, battling cancer, could attend. His then-fiancée Anlia sang the national anthem, and he was man of the match.

Harry passed away the following year while Etzebeth was in New Zealand. He stayed to captain the Boks because Harry would have wanted him to.

Born into a family of professional wrestlers, Etzebeth felt out of place until a 15-year-old growth spurt of 20 centimeters and 20 kilograms. Moved from wing to lock, he is now 2.03 meters (6-foot-8) and 120 kilos, a menace to box-kicking scrumhalves.

Another enforcer wearing No. 4

Etzebeth debuted for the Springboks in 2012 at age 20, the season after the second row was vacated by Matfield and Bakkies Botha.

Both veterans returned to the Boks but worked around Etzebeth, who continued the post-apartheid lineage of fearsome No. 4 enforcers: Adri Geldenhuys, Kobus Wiese, Mark Andrews, and Botha.

Matfield always valued having the pugnacious Botha as a partner—a world-record 63 tests together in the second row—and was present when Etzebeth surpassed his all-time record of 127 Springbok appearances in 2024.

Matfield marveled at Etzebeth’s gifts: the relentless work rate and take-no-prisoners attitude.

“You always want that one guy that, when you run onto the field, the other pack know there’s no chance you’re taking on this one guy,” Matfield said. “That’s what Eben’s been giving this pack for the last (now 14) years.”

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