VIDEO: The behemoth that is Eben Etzebeth is not going anywhere, he promised Springbok fans after his team won the Rugby Championship title in Mbombela on Saturday.
With his teammates on Saturday, the 32-year-old Springbok lock celebrated his 128th Springbok Test, becoming the most capped Bok of all time.
The legendary lock was all smiles at the post-match press conference in Mbombela on Saturday, having a beer while his coach Rassie Erasmus, and captain Siya Kolisi addressed the media.
Etzebeth was asked if he could see himself still playing for a few years, and if he had specific number on caps in his head to reach for.
At his age, he is still the best lock in world rugby and has been described by his fellow Boks as the ultimate professional.
His performance in last year’s World Cup quarterfinal against hosts France in Saint-Denis was one of the greatest individual outings by a Bok, ever.
“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.
“So, 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 if the body’s good to go.”
To celebrate this milestone in his career with his wife Anlia and baby daughter in spectacular style on the field in the Mbombela stadium.
But for the towering lock, it is never about himself, it is always about the team.
“The milestone wouldn’t have been nice if we’d lost this game, so the team really showed up tonight (Saturday),” said Etzebeth after the game.
“The Rugby Championship was on the line; it was a final, and we all wanted to win that trophy.
“The guys wanted to make it special for me, but it will always be a team sport, and the trophy was the big thing. It was an unbelievable performance from everyone.”
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Etzebeth paid tribute to the team-mates who have shared his Springbok career: “There are guys I have been with at three World Cups, won two World Cups, guys like Siya ]Kolisi], Jesse (Kriel), Handre [Pollard], Frans [Malherbe], Willie [le Roux], Damian [de Allende].
“I’m probably leaving a few out, but I wouldn’t have reached this milestone without those players.”
Erasmus said it was a privilege to sit next to someone [Etzebeth] who reached that special record in his life.
“It was a gutsy performance and there was enough effort, and I do think there were brilliant plays at stages.
“So, it was a much better performance, it wasn’t perfect but there was some really good stuff that we can build on.
“They understand the bigger picture and then things like this happen where all of us are privileged to sit with Eben today.
