As the build-up to Eben Etzebeth’s 100th Test match continues, we throw it back to some of the most memorable moments of the 30-year-old’s phenomenal career.
2012: Bok debut
Etzebeth burst onto the Super Rugby scene for the Stormers in the 2012 season, putting in some awesome showings to lift the Cape side to a first-place finish on the overall standings. His form couldn’t be ignored, and in June he was selected to debut against Stuart Lancaster’s touring England side in the first Test at Kings Park.
He started all three games as Heyneke Meyer got his tenure as Bok coach off to a good start, winning the first two and drawing the third. For young Eben, it was the start of a long journey in green and gold.
In the run up to Saturday it’s only fitting to spend some time on the career of Eben Etzebeth.
— Rugbynostalgia (@1Rugbynostalgia) July 12, 2022
This was his debut test as a 20 year ood rookie. Interesting to see what other players are still around (Provincial/International). SA won 22-17. pic.twitter.com/USyNhDihQ0
2012: Bismarck is monstered at Newlands
Following the Stormers’ terrific 2012 campaign, Etzebeth fronted up against the Sharks in an epic semi-final at Newlands in July. While the Durbanites got the last laugh, winning the encounter 26-19 to set up a Grand Final in Waikato against eventual champions the Chiefs, the game is also remembered for the then 21-year-old Etzebeth’s gargantuan bounce of Bismarck du Plessis.
It’s still the stuff of rugby folklore and marks the moment Etzebeth truly announced himself on the world stage.
Treat the rest of this week with the same level of disdain Eben Etzebeth had for Bismarck du Plessis ... #TestWeek #SAvARG #Savage pic.twitter.com/Q1h9e4OXHT
— Morne Esben (@Morne13) August 15, 2017
2015: World Cup debut
Etzebeth made his World Cup bow in Brighton, coming off the bench in the Boks’ infamous tournament-opening defeat to Japan. Despite the result, they ended up finishing third after being dumped out of the semi-finals 20-18 by a Dan Carter-inspired New Zealand.
2016: 50th Test
The Sharks second row became the youngest player to reach 50-Test caps for South Africa when he ran out against Australia in Brisbane in 2016; a match the side would lose 23-17. In keeping with that trend, he will be the youngest Bok to 100 when he faces Wales tomorrow.
Proud of @ASICS_ZA Ambassador & @Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth who will celebrate his 50th Test Match vs Australia! pic.twitter.com/5hGgWGM1Xa
— ORTON Media Photos®™ (@OrtonMediaPhoto) September 7, 2016
2017: Etzebeth becomes Bok skipper No 59
After Warren Whiteley’s untimely injury in the second Test against France in 2017, 25-year-old Etzebeth was tasked with captaining the side; a role he maintained until the end of that season. Despite perhaps not being a natural-born leader, the Bok enforcer did a fine job in a particularly challenging time for Bok rugby.
2018: Boks win in New Zealand
The Boks heroically beat the All Blacks 36-34 in Wellington during the 2018 Rugby Championship to record a first win in New Zealand since 2009. After their World Cup win the following year, the team highlighted this result as the moment they truly believed they could go all the way.
2019: Rugby Championship and World champion
The Boks followed up their Rugby Championship title in 2019 by claiming the World Cup later that year as Etzebeth claimed his first major pieces of silverware with the national side.
#RugbyChampionship
— Khwezi SportsZone (@KhweziSports) August 11, 2019
Boks crowned 2019 rugby championship champions following a massive victory over Argentina last night.#Springboks#KhweziSportsZone pic.twitter.com/EE9BQWcXPw
2021: Lion tamer
After tasting defeat in the first Test, the Springboks bounced back to win a Covid-disrupted Lions series 2-1. Etzebeth was colossal during the tour, and carried on his impressive form throughout the remainder of the year. Despite not a single South African being nominate, he was many pundits’ pick for World Player of the Year.
2022: Test centurion
When he runs out onto the Cape Town Stadium turf tomorrow against Wales, Etzebeth will become the seventh Bok to achieve the 100-cap milestone and secure his place among SA rugby’s all-time greats.
