Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'There's not much difference between the guys who are here and the ones on their way to New Zealand'

Eben Etzebeth is looking forward to captaining South Africa on Saturday against Australia (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth has shrugged off any suggestion that South Africa are fielding a second-string line-up for Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against Australia in Johannesburg. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The big lock will lead a squad featuring a Springbok centurion, three half-centurions and five more players with more than 35 caps, including players who have claimed the SA Rugby player of the year award in three of the last four years.

“We all have a responsibility when we pull on that jersey and that lies with the 23 in South Africa as much as anyone else,” said Etzebeth.

“There’s not much difference between the guys who are here and the ones on their way to New Zealand. I don’t think the team could have been picked much stronger. This is a very strong team we have picked, and I have a lot of confidence in them for Saturday’s Test.”

Etzebeth said that there was competition for every position in the squad before welcoming the three debutants, Rynhardt Elstadt (loose forward), Herschel Jantjies (scrum-half) and Lizo Gqoboka (replacement prop).

“I’d like to congratulate them and say how much we’re looking forward to seeing them play,” said Etzebeth. “I don’t think I need to say too much about Rynhardt – he is very tough. I’ve never played against him but those who have tell me that he is quite a tough nut.

“I asked Herschel a few weeks ago what he was doing this time last year and he said he was in and out of the Currie Cup mix. I asked him if he ever wondered if he would be playing of the Springbok and in with a chance of going to the World Cup a year later and he said, ‘no way’.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0EIHKfgUqH/

“I’ve seen him grow at the Stormers, he proved what a good rugby player he is and a great scrum-half and I must say I enjoy his company quite a lot off the field as well.”

Etzebeth leads the team for the 12th time: “It’s a massive honour, great to be running out in front once again but it’s not about me. There are lots of guys who have got my back – guys such as Francois Louw, ‘Beast’ (Tendai Mtawarira) and others who have lots of experience. I’m really looking forward to it.”

WATCH: Rassie Erasmus on his South African team selections and his World Cup squad

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

G
GS 59 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The key is realising this AB side is not what they are now but what they will be in 2025/26.


You can already see a Power bench forming, and I would highlight that people watch the AB XV game vs Munster and watch Fabian Holland - he, in the next 24 months, will be WC and bring some huge physicality to the team.


Then, aligned with Peter Lakai, probably at 7, another WC talent, the AB pack by 2026 will probably both be starting and on the bench - be rated as No 1 or 2 packs in the world.


Then, there is the usual WC talent around the backline, and the missing link is Mo'unga. Unlike in last year's WC, the coming forward pack for the ABs, is similar to the Bok pack, It will be packed full of power, and the key to this is a realitively young pack.


So I think we will lose to Ireland and France in the coming weeks, but watch out as this pack builds into - I mean, look at the tight five and loose forwards that are coming for the ABs - De Groot, Lomax, Williams, Tosi, Taylor, Ofa T, Samson T, Aumua, Patrick T, Barrett, Vai, Fabian H, Setiti, Lakai, Savea, Frizzell (understand they are attempting to get him and Mo'unga back), Blackadder, Papalii and bar Barrett, Savea, Patrick T, Taylor - pretty young in international terms.


Huge front row starting and on bench, Power locks and usual class in loose forwards - only missing ingredient is a WC 10 and with Mo'unga back probably in 2026, these ABs are trending in a very healthy direction.

88 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss
Search