Time out on sidelines has Etzebeth raring to go for Boks' home season
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has allayed fears around his fitness ahead of the international season as the double Rugby World Cup-winner looks forward to adding to his South African record 131 caps in a busy year for the national side.
The 33-year-old has been one of the Springboks' most influential players in the last decade and a key element of their back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, but is coming off a club season with the Durban-based Sharks plagued by injury.
'I didn't have such a good run at the Sharks with injury and concussion that kept me out for about four-and-a-half months,' Etzebeth said on Wednesday.
'It wasn't ideal, but I recovered and got a few games towards the back-end of the season. I just suffered a small setback in training just before the [United Rugby Championship] semifinal.
🗣️ "It's actually a difficult one to plan around."
Rassie Erasmus on how the Springboks will be approaching the Barbarians match next Saturday.
Click below to get your tickets now 👇
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 17, 2025
'That was just a minor one and I'm very comfortable for the Springbok season ahead.'
Etzebeth is an enforcer in the Springboks pack, with his ability at line-outs, powerful carries and organisation in defence.
Far from looking at this past season as a wasted one, he suggests the time on the sidelines will leave him fresher for Tests against Italy [two] and Georgia next month, and South Africa's Rugby Championship title defence.
'It's not ideal that I didn't play as much as I wanted to, but at the end of the day your body is resting up a bit,' he said.
Is 2025 the year that we see a changing of the guard in the Springbok front row?
With Steven Kitshoff retired and injuries to the likes of Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane, a few newer faces will definitely get their chance 💪 pic.twitter.com/x6F9EbJ7d9
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 18, 2025
'We play week in and week out and the guys who aren't injured get bruised and battered. I'm a bit fresher. The body is feeling good.'
South African players arguably play more rugby than ever before with their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and European club competitions.
The Springboks also have 14 matches lined up this year, starting with a non-cap clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town on June 28.
'It's a big topic in South African rugby about our squads [size],' Etzebeth admitted. 'There is the Currie Cup, URC, Champions Cup. Do we have enough players in our squads?
'That's for the coaches to decide and I don't think they're too happy, but it's out of my [control].'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
40 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Tributes pour in for sports broadcaster Phumlani Msibi
The passing of football, boxing and horse racing pundit Phumlani Msibi was announced on Friday night Beloved sports broadcaster Phumlani Msibi has passed away at the age of 57. Tributes poured in from across the sporting industry and beyond following the announcement of the sad news on Friday night. From sports personalities to politicians, the dedications to Msibi illustrated the man's special place in the hearts of South Africans. Tributes to Msibi Msibi began his career at the South African Broadcasting Corporation before moving over to Multichoice's Supersport. Supersport CEO Rendani Ramovha acknowledged Msibi's sterling reputation and professionalism in a tribute late on Friday night. 'Msibi's loss will be felt not just by the broadcaster and the football fraternity, but by the whole sporting community at large. We are gravely saddened by his passing,' stated Ramovha. A feature of local and continental football coverage, as well as one of the premier voices of South African boxing, Msibi was also an avid horse racing pundit. 'Thoughts please' Fellow broadcaster Thomas Kwenaite shared a touching message on social media for his departed colleague. 'This is farewell but a heartfelt goodbye to a wonderful soul and former colleague Phumlani Msibi who sadly left these shores on Friday evening following a short illness. Go prepare a studio for when we arrive, then ask us…'Your Thoughts please?' Hamba kahle Msibi, rest easy,' posted Kwenaite. Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton Mackenzie added his voice to the social media tributes. 'My deepest and most sincerest condolences to the Msibi family. Mooi loop Grootman,' stated the minister. The EFF also shared a short message to acknowledge the broadcaster's lasting contribution. 'The EFF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of legendary sports anchor Phumulani Msibi following his passing. May his soul rest in eternal peace,' the part stated. Professional footballer Michael Morton expressed the sentiments that all those who sat across from Msibi can attest to. 'Rest in peace Mr Msibi. Fortunate to have crossed your path and to have had the privilege of meeting you and being interviewed by you. Top top man…you will be sorely missed,' Morton posted on X. NOW READ: Gayton McKenzie says he's 'gonna fight very hard' for at least one Bok game to be broadcast to everyone
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
SA's cricket heroes return home to jubilant celebration
After ending a 27-year wait to win an International Cricket Council's Test Championship (ICC), the national men's cricket team, Proteas Men, have only just started to build momentum towards a culture of winning. In a thrilling final against Australia, the Proteas Men secured a historic victory with a five-wicket win on day four at Lord's in England on Saturday. This was the first senior Men's trophy since the 1998 ICC Knockout victory. 'We hope that this can be the start of a lot more of these trophies. As much as we have achieved what we achieved in the past 18 – 24 months, this is not a big legacy as of yet. We will speak again in two to three years. We want to start a culture of winning trophies for the country,' Proteas men's Captain Temba Bavuma said in Johannesburg at a media briefing. The men's national cricket team received an electrifying welcome with jubilation, song and dance from supporters on their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, on Wednesday morning. 'Seeing so many people welcome us at the airport was quite overwhelming. It was different from the last time we came back from the world cup in 2023. You don't really realise what you have done until you start to interact with people. 'To see the emotion, to hear the things they have got to say; it gives you an insight into what we have done. As a team we are proud that we have been able to achieve something like this, but we are even happier that we have made our people proud,' Bavuma said. This marked South Africa's first-ever appearance in a World Test Championship Final, and their triumphant performance signalled a landmark achievement for the nation's cricketing history. This as Australia, currently ranked number one in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings, entered the final as favourites and defending champions. The Proteas, ranked second, rose to the occasion and delivered a memorable performance, cementing their status as one of the world's elite test sides. The Captain expressed how the team's journey has not been an easy one. 'As a team we have our story. It wasn't a simple and easy one. We have overcome a lot and managed to get to where we are. The biggest thing is that we have embraced everything that means to be a South African,' he said. The cricket team hopes this inspires budding cricketers and the nation. 'Similarly to them, in their quest, their journey for what they want to achieve, as long as they keep having that passion, keep pushing against what people think is the unachievable. 'We have been confident enough that we have been playing good cricket. We have been getting ourselves in a position where we can be in finals. Just like with anything, you got to keep going and keep being relentless. 'There was always that belief that at some point the harder we knock on that door, that it was going to happen,' Bavuma said. He said the beauty about international cricket is that there is always more games to play. 'There's the Zimbabwe tournament that leads into the start of the new test cycle [which] we will be setting our eyes on what we want to achieve over there. There is always something that we are working towards, it's a legacy that we want to achieve [and] and trying to put together as a team. 'The legacy is not done yet. For now, we want to enjoy what this moment has brought to us,' Bavuma said. Cricket South Africa's (CSA) head of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, said this victory will have a huge impact on generations to come. He said this restores a lot of faith and belief in South African cricket. 'We look at this format as a foundation to key fundamentals to other formats and the growth of cricket, not only in South Africa, but globally. What is encouraging is this is going to motivate a 15-year-old. We are going to ensure from behind the scenes that will continue to build these building blocks through this format,' Nkwe said. The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the team's win gives the nation hope. 'People should see themselves when they watch our national teams, and that is what we are doing in cricket. They are following in the footsteps of rugby. We are a socially cohesive country [and] a rainbow nation, and you can see this. 'We are the best sporting nation in the world. We have the strongest women and men in the world. We have the fastest runners, the best soccer players, [and] we have the best rugby players and cricket team,' the Minister said. The Proteas men's head coach Shukri Conrad also expressed his joy at the warm reception the team received upon their arrival at the airport. 'I am absolutely ecstatic to see people come out in their hundreds. It makes this win even more special. We won a few days ago but it hasn't sunk in. To get a reception like this… it starts to sink in. The guys have been great, but the fans have been better,' Conrad said. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Proteas building a legacy of winning trophies
After ending a 27-year wait to win an International Cricket Council's Test Championship (ICC), the national men's cricket team, Proteas Men, have only just started to build momentum towards a culture of winning. In a thrilling final against Australia, the Proteas Men secured a historic victory with a five-wicket win on day four at Lord's in England on Saturday. This was the first senior Men's trophy since the 1998 ICC Knockout victory. 'We hope that this can be the start of a lot more of these trophies. As much as we have achieved what we achieved in the past 18 – 24 months, this is not a big legacy as of yet. We will speak again in two to three years. We want to start a culture of winning trophies for the country,' Proteas men's Captain Temba Bavuma said in Johannesburg at a media briefing. The men's national cricket team received an electrifying welcome with jubilation, song and dance from supporters on their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, on Wednesday morning. 'Seeing so many people welcome us at the airport was quite overwhelming. It was different from the last time we came back from the world cup in 2023. You don't really realise what you have done until you start to interact with people. 'To see the emotion, to hear the things they have got to say; it gives you an insight into what we have done. As a team we are proud that we have been able to achieve something like this, but we are even happier that we have made our people proud,' Bavuma said. This marked South Africa's first-ever appearance in a World Test Championship Final, and their triumphant performance signalled a landmark achievement for the nation's cricketing history. This as Australia, currently ranked number one in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings, entered the final as favourites and defending champions. The Proteas, ranked second, rose to the occasion and delivered a memorable performance, cementing their status as one of the world's elite test sides. The Captain expressed how the team's journey has not been an easy one. 'As a team we have our story. It wasn't a simple and easy one. We have overcome a lot and managed to get to where we are. The biggest thing is that we have embraced everything that means to be a South African,' he said. The cricket team hopes this inspires budding cricketers and the nation. 'Similarly to them, in their quest, their journey for what they want to achieve, as long as they keep having that passion, keep pushing against what people think is the unachievable. 'We have been confident enough that we have been playing good cricket. We have been getting ourselves in a position where we can be in finals. Just like with anything, you got to keep going and keep being relentless. 'There was always that belief that at some point the harder we knock on that door, that it was going to happen,' Bavuma said. He said the beauty about international cricket is that there is always more games to play. 'There's the Zimbabwe tournament that leads into the start of the new test cycle [which] we will be setting our eyes on what we want to achieve over there. There is always something that we are working towards, it's a legacy that we want to achieve [and] and trying to put together as a team. 'The legacy is not done yet. For now, we want to enjoy what this moment has brought to us,' Bavuma said. Cricket South Africa's (CSA) head of national teams, Enoch Nkwe, said this victory will have a huge impact on generations to come. He said this restores a lot of faith and belief in South African cricket. 'We look at this format as a foundation to key fundamentals to other formats and the growth of cricket, not only in South Africa, but globally. What is encouraging is this is going to motivate a 15-year-old. We are going to ensure from behind the scenes that will continue to build these building blocks through this format,' Nkwe said. The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said the team's win gives the nation hope. 'People should see themselves when they watch our national teams, and that is what we are doing in cricket. They are following in the footsteps of rugby. We are a socially cohesive country [and] a rainbow nation, and you can see this. 'We are the best sporting nation in the world. We have the strongest women and men in the world. We have the fastest runners, the best soccer players, [and] we have the best rugby players and cricket team,' the Minister said. The Proteas men's head coach Shukri Conrad also expressed his joy at the warm reception the team received upon their arrival at the airport. 'I am absolutely ecstatic to see people come out in their hundreds. It makes this win even more special. We won a few days ago but it hasn't sunk in. To get a reception like this… it starts to sink in. The guys have been great, but the fans have been better,' Conrad said. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
