Winning the Rugby Championship in the same game he became the most capped Springbok of all time, could not have been a more satisfying occasion for Eben Etzebeth.
The towering lock played in his 128th Test match for the green and gold, moving one ahead of fellow Bok legend Victor Matfield in the match against Argentina at Mbombela Stadium.
The Springboks put in a consummate performance against Los Pumas to win 48-7, which saw South Africa clinch their first Rugby Championship title since 2019.
In fact, the Springboks had lost to Argentina on their home turf a week prior so the pressure was on for South Africa to win at home to secure the silverware.
Victor passes on the honour of being South Africa's most-capped player 🧢![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦@SpurRestaurant | #TRC2024 pic.twitter.com/sAzMn51WLL
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 28, 2024
Fitting setting
“The milestone wouldn’t have been nice if we’d lost this game, so the team really showed up tonight,” said Etzebeth.
Injury permitting, the 32-year-old will likely go on to extend his most-caps record by some margin. But making the record his own in as significant a match as their final Rugby Championship match made it even sweeter.
“|I’ll keep pushing, training hard and performing for my club and hopefully the coaches will keep on selecting me. I never like to share my goals with the public – I like to keep it close to my heart – and I’ll still push on and if the body’s good I’ll continue to go.
“The guys wanted to make it special for me, but it will always be a team sport, and the trophy was the big thing, and we’ll celebrate it very nicely tonight. It was an unbelievable performance from everyone.”
Etzebeth paid tribute to teammates like skipper Siya Kolisi, Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard, Frans Malherbe, Willie le Roux and Damian Willemse.
“There are guys I have been with at three World Cups, won two World Cups, guys like Siya, Jesse, Handre, Frans, Willie, Damian … I’m leaving a few out, but I wouldn’t have reached this milestone without those players.”
“It’s about staying fit and pushing the body as far as it can go,” he said.
“I’ve made no secret that the reason I play this game is to play for this team; to perform for my club and to be selected for the national side – that’s the ultimate.
After the match, skipper Kolisi delivered a heartfelt message for Etzebeth.
“To my best friend, my eerste beste pal, Eben Etzebeth, Yster, my brother, I’m so grateful that I’ve walked this journey with you. I’m grateful you’ve been part of my life. Thank you for supporting me from the first day coach Rassie [Erasmus] made me captain,” said Kolisi.
“I’m so proud of you. I’m so grateful to be your friend. I can’t wait to tell my grandkids that I played with Eben ‘Ysterbeth’. Thank you my brother, I love you.”