Eben Etzebeth’s consistency is unrivalled

It was Eben Etzebeth’s day in Mbombela last night and the giant record-breaking Springboks lock took just 15 seconds to complete the first action of the game. Within two minutes of the kick-off Etzebeth had made a tackle, made a pass, made a carry and taken a lineout ball.

Etzebeth, in his 128th Test match, was as big as he has always been since his debut as a 20-year-old in 2012.

It was his day, but it was also the Springboks’ day with Cheslin Kolbe’s try in the 38th minute the bonus point try and the one league point the Boks needed to win just their fifth Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship in 29 years.

The All Blacks have 20 title wins, South Africa have five and Australia the remaining four.

The Boks led 27-7 at half-time in what was their most complete 40 minutes of dominance in the championship. It eclipsed their opening 30 minutes against Australia in Brisbane for dominance.

Etzebeth, who broke the iconic lock Victor Matfield’s record of 127 matches for the Boks, revelled in the occasion. 

It has not always been glory days for Etzebeth as a Springbok. He has a 62% winning record and experienced some dark days in the Bok jersey between 2016 and 2018 when the Boks won 48% of their Tests.

What has defined him is his effort for the Boks.

Etzebeth’s consistency is unrivalled. He gives everything for the green and gold and since his debut these are his annual Bok Test numbers, in terms of Tests played: 11, 12, 10, 11, 10, 13, 8, 10, 12, 13 and 9 (in 2024). The Boks did not play a Test in 2020 because of Covid.

Etzebeth has played against 15 different countries, has a 100% winning record against six of them and only the All Blacks (33% win record) and Ireland (40%) have proven too much over the years for Etzebeth and his teammates.

He has played Argentina 22 times, second only to his 24 matches against the All Blacks, and Saturday’s triumph was his 17th against the big boys from Argentina.

Saturday was big for Etzebeth and the Boks, who made the statement expected of champions.

The power Bok scrum won five successive scrum penalties within the first 20 minutes, sought width in their attack and ensured that the likes of Aphelele Fassi, Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse were always busy with ball in hand.

Fassi was outstanding and Kolbe, pound for pound, is the best rugby player in the world. He is most certainly the best winger.

The old cliché is Test matches are won up front, and the Boks were monsters in how they crushed the Pumas in the set piece and collisions

Damian de Allende’s return at inside-centre was massive in getting the Boks forward. His direct game is as good as his passing game. His defence is always world-class and it is why he is the best No 12 currently playing the game internationally.

Manie Libbok, maligned for not kicking the winning penalty against the Pumas in Santiago a week ago, was relieved of the goal-kicking duties for this Test and he purred as the general behind a dominant pack. 

Libbok passed, kicked, ran and smiled throughout in a Test that showcased his worth. 

The old cliché is Test matches are won up front, and the Boks were monsters in how they crushed the Pumas in the set piece and collisions.

There has been a lot of talk that there is no B team, However, there is an A team and they were in action in Mbombela.

The second half was more messy than magical, but no less more enjoyable. 

In mitigation, the Rugby Championship had been won in  38 minutes and for the last 52 minutes the Boks played like a team that had done the job.