By Mpho Moi
Johannesburg, South Africa — As the rugby world prepares for another thrilling encounter in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared to play against New Zealand on Saturday, 31 August 2024, at Emirates Airline Park. This development has sparked widespread excitement among South African rugby fans, as Etzebeth’s inclusion not only strengthens the Springbok squad but also marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
Etzebeth’s Remarkable Recovery
Eben Etzebeth, who was initially left out of the Springbok match-23 due to injury concerns, has made a remarkable recovery, completing all training sessions this week without any complications. This progress led to his late inclusion on the bench, replacing Marco van Staden. Etzebeth’s return is seen as a major boost for the Springboks, offering them a specialist lock cover for the starting combination of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ruan Nortje.
The significance of this match for Etzebeth cannot be understated. If he gets game time, this Test will be his 125th appearance in the green and gold jersey, making him the second most capped Springbok of all time, surpassing the legendary Bryan Habana. This achievement puts Etzebeth just two caps shy of Victor Matfield’s Springbok Test record of 127 caps, a milestone that has been etched in South African rugby history.
“Our selection policy has always been that if a player does not train on a Monday he will not play on Saturday, but Eben has made it through training pain-free all week, so we had to make the tough call to name him in the squad at the expense of Marco,” said Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s Director of Rugby. This statement underscores the confidence the Springbok management has in Etzebeth’s fitness and readiness to make a significant impact in one of the most anticipated matches of the year.
Tactical Adjustments and Squad Depth
Erasmus’s decision to include Etzebeth, even at the expense of Marco van Staden, highlights the strategic adjustments the Springboks are willing to make to ensure they field the strongest possible side against the All Blacks. The inclusion of a specialist lock like Etzebeth not only reinforces the team’s defensive capabilities but also strengthens their set-piece dominance, particularly in the lineouts and mauls—areas where New Zealand has traditionally posed a formidable challenge.
“We are blessed to have an expanded squad of about 45 players who have all bought into our plans and who understand what’s best for the team, and it’s admirable how Marco accepted the news. It shows the quality of the player and person he is,” Erasmus added. This statement reflects the depth of talent within the Springbok squad and the strong team culture that has been cultivated under the current management.
In addition to Etzebeth’s inclusion, Erasmus released four players—Steven Kitshoff (prop), Manie Libbok (flyhalf), Canan Moodie, and Makazole Mapimpi (both wings)—to their provincial unions for Carling Currie Cup action this weekend. This move ensures that these key players gain valuable game time and maintain their match fitness, while also giving the Springbok management more flexibility in squad selection for upcoming fixtures.
The Springbok Team: Experience Meets Youth
The revised Springbok team set to face New Zealand in Johannesburg is a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars. The starting XV boasts experienced campaigners like Siya Kolisi, who leads the team as captain, and Frans Malherbe, whose consistency and reliability in the front row have been instrumental in the Springboks’ success. Alongside them, young talents such as Kurt-Lee Arendse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu bring fresh energy and dynamism to the backline, promising a well-rounded and formidable team.
Revised Springbok Team to Face New Zealand:
• 15 – Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 6 caps, 15 points (3t)
• 14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 35 caps, 96 points (15t, 3c, 5p)
• 13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 73 caps, 80 points (16t)
• 12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 82 caps, 55 points (11t)
• 11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 19 caps, 85 points (17t)
• 10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 6 caps, 33 points (12c, 3p)
• 9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 34 caps, 65 points (13t)
• 8 – Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 27 caps, 5 points (1t)
• 7 – Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 3 caps, 5 points (1t)
• 6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 86 caps, 55 points (11t)
• 5 – Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 2 caps, 0 points
• 4 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 81 caps, 45 points (9t)
• 3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 73 caps, 5 points (1t)
• 2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 72 caps, 70 points (14t)
• 1 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 33 caps, 0 pointsReplacements:
• 16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 69 caps, 95 points (19t)
• 17 – Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 0 points
• 18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 54 caps, 0 points
• 19 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 124 caps, 30 points (6t)
• 20 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps, 0 points
• 21 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 45 caps, 40 points (8t)
• 22 – Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 13 caps, 10 points (2t)
• 23 – Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 73 caps, 734 points (7t, 99c, 162p, 5dg)Etzebeth’s Historic 125th Cap
As Eben Etzebeth approaches his 125th Test cap, the significance of this milestone resonates not only within the Springbok camp but across the global rugby community. Surpassing Bryan Habana to become the second most capped Springbok of all time is a testament to Etzebeth’s durability, consistency, and impact on the international stage. His journey from a young lock breaking into the Springbok squad to becoming one of the most feared forwards in world rugby has been marked by numerous accolades, including a Rugby World Cup title in 2019.
Reflecting on his career, Etzebeth has often spoken about the pride he feels every time he represents South Africa. “Every cap is special, but to reach 125 and to do it against the All Blacks in front of our home fans is something I’ll cherish forever,” Etzebeth remarked in a recent interview. His leadership, physicality, and unmatched work rate have made him a cornerstone of the Springbok pack, and his presence on the bench against New Zealand adds an extra dimension to the team’s strategy.
Social Media Reactions and Public Sentiment
Etzebeth’s clearance to play has ignited social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where fans and pundits alike have expressed their excitement and support. One user tweeted, “Eben Etzebeth back for the All Blacks clash is exactly what the Boks needed! 125th cap and counting—let’s make it a win!” Another fan wrote, “Eben’s return is a game-changer. His experience and presence will be crucial in taking down the All Blacks at Emirates Airline Park.”
The rugby community’s reaction reflects the high expectations placed on Etzebeth and the Springboks as they gear up for this monumental clash. The anticipation is palpable, with many hoping that Etzebeth’s inclusion will tip the scales in favour of South Africa.
Strategic Insights and the New Zealand Challenge
The Springboks’ upcoming match against New Zealand is more than just a game; it’s a battle between two rugby powerhouses with a long-standing rivalry. The All Blacks, renowned for their tactical brilliance and physicality, will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge. However, with Etzebeth in the mix, the Springboks have bolstered their chances of dominating the set-pieces and maintaining a solid defensive structure.
Rassie Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienaber have meticulously prepared the team for this encounter, focusing on exploiting the All Blacks’ weaknesses while reinforcing South Africa’s strengths. The combination of seasoned veterans like Siya Kolisi and Frans Malherbe with emerging stars such as Kurt-Lee Arendse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ensures that the Springboks have a well-rounded squad capable of adapting to the dynamic and high-pressure nature of the game.
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