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Eben Etzebeth checks in for work at Toulon

Eben Etzebeth has landed in Toulon after starring for South Africa at the World Cup (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Toulon’s crop of summer signings are slowly making their way to the south of France, with the club revealing on Thursday the arrival of World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth. 

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The three-time European champions shared a video on social media of the giant lock being met by president Mourad Boudjellal at the airport.

Although the 28-year-old’s arrival was not met by fanfare, he will be pivotal in reviving the club’s fortunes. 

Etzebeth was one of Toulon’s big signings in the summer alongside the likes of Baptiste Serin and Sergio Parisse.

They have been given the responsibility of helping the club return to the top table of European rugby after languishing over the past few years. 

They sit in fifth in the Top 14, but the South African will add yet more grit to an already powerful Toulon pack as they hope to surge up the table. 

After South Africa lifted the Webb Ellis Cup at the beginning of November, many of the players were given extended breaks and have only just started arriving at their clubs. 

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Last week also saw Frans Steyn and Handre Pollard arrive at Montpellier, and while that may have been longer than some clubs would have expected, they at least know the players will be arriving in good form and fairly well-rested.  

In a pack that already has Romain Taofifenua, Mamuka Gorgodze, Facundo Isa, Charles Ollivon and Liam Messam, the inclusion of the 85-cap Springbok helps to complete one of the most impressive ensembles in Europe, a line-up redolent of the side that dominated rugby only a few years ago. 

The backs are no different and could yet be boosted by the arrival of 2015 RWC winner Nehe Milner-Skudder, although injury has put his move gravely in jeopardy. 

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Although they are not in the Champions Cup this season, Toulon still have much to play for in the Top 14 and the Challenge Cup. and everyone on the Cote d’Azur will be anticipating Etzebeth’s debut. 

WATCH: Dylan Hartley tells The Rugby Pod what it was like to captain England under Eddie Jones

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M
MA 10 minutes ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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