Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Profile: Eben Etzebeth
Everything you need to know about Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador: Eben Etzebeth
With back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles, alongside becoming only the second player to win consecutive SA Rugby Player of the Year accolades, Eben Etzebeth is on course to go down in history as one of the greatest Springboks ever.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks lock is a product of the Western Province youth structures and received acclaim when he played a crucial role to inspire the UCT Ikey Tigers to lift their first Varsity Cup title in 2011.
Eben Etzebeth is set to become the most capped Springbok of all-time this year. He is currently on 119 Tests.
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) May 16, 2024
He just needs 9 caps to beat Victor Matfield (127).
Of the 13 or so Tests this year, he should be able to do it. pic.twitter.com/z7PKBsTK4t
While many promising players feature first in the Currie Cup to develop their skills before making the step up to Super Rugby, and eventually the Springbok setup, that wasn’t the case for the generational forward.
Etzebeth made his professional debut for the Stormers in Super Rugby back in 2012, where in the same year he later made his Bok debut as an emerging 21-year-old forward under then-coach Heyneke Meyer.
Etzebeth then quickly established himself as an integral member of the Stormers squad in Super Rugby and for the Boks before going on to establish himself as one of the best locks in world rugby.
In 2015, Etzebeth agreed to a deal to join Japanese Top League outfit Red Hurricanes for a short stint before returning to the Stormers.
Four years later, the former Junior Springbok secured a long-term move to French side Toulon after featuring in 61 matches for the Stormers.
What a great moment! Siya Dlamini from Volksrust in Mpumalanga gets to meet #Elizabedi 🥹#StrongerTogether @EbenEtzebeth pic.twitter.com/GAPyX3ewrn
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2023
The South African had a successful three-year stint in France before returning home to join the Hollywoodbets Sharks in 2022.
At international level, Etzebeth was the enforcer of a marauding Springbok pack who incredibly helped South Africa clinch the 2019 World Cup in Japan. That feat was repeated with Etzebeth a senior figure as the Springboks clinched a record fourth Rugby World Cup with a win over rivals New Zealand in a tense final in Paris.
The 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year finalist followed Pieter-Steph du Toit in becoming the second player to win back-to-back SA Rugby Player of the Year awards.
Competing with his brother, UCT days in the Varsity Cup, drink-ups and some memorable teammates along the way 👏
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 15, 2024
Eben Etzebeth stopped by for a chat after taking home the big one at the #SARugbyAwards last night. pic.twitter.com/gpkc6Azezr
Etzebeth is widely regarded as one of, if not the most beloved star in South African sports as he encompasses the true South African spirit and all that makes our culture special. Not only an enforcer, Etzebeth mixes brute force, with skill, and assured leadership alongside a humble nature that unites a multi-cultural Springbok squad.
With already 119 Bok appearances at the age of just 32, “Elizabedi”, as Eben is affectionately known to his admiring South African fans, is the third-most-capped national team player.
🇿🇦🏅 Eben Etzebeth has been crowned SA Rugby's Men's Player of the Year for 2023.
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) March 14, 2024
That's two years running for the Springboks lock. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Jf5cAQRfII
Career Stats
Appearances
Springboks: 119* (2012-)
Stormers Super Rugby: 61 (2012-2019)
WP Currie Cup: 7 (2012-2014)
Red Hurricanes: 8 (2015-2016)
Toulon: 40 (2019- 2022)
Sharks: 17 (2022-)
Honours
Springboks: Rugby World Cup winner (2019, 2023), World Cup bronze medal (2015).
Etzebeth joined Hollywoodbets in April 2024 alongside his songstress wife Anlia.
Here’s what the Sharks and Boks star had to say:
“Hollywoodbets is a big part of the Sharks and for me when I got approached it was a thing I was interested in.
“Also, when the word came out that Anlia would be joining me, that made it even more exciting to join the brand and be part of it.
“We’ve already learned so many things about the company, everywhere they are and the things they are involved in and it’s something that our values are aligned with.”
