There’s a certain weight behind the name Eben Etzebeth. Over a decade of bruising Test matches, fearless charges, and uncompromising defence has turned him into one of South African rugby’s most iconic figures. But this season, the Springbok enforcer found himself in unfamiliar territory—off the pitch, nursing injuries, watching from the sidelines.
In today’s Springbok press conference, former Namibian bruiser Renaldo Bothma took the mic and got candid with Etzebeth. The questions weren’t just about tactics or team sheets—they touched the heart of a man who’s weathered the storm and is preparing to charge back into battle.
“When you get older in your career, it obviously takes a toll on your body,” Bothma began. “You’ve been injured so much. How mentally tough has it been for you to get back into action—especially now that you have a family?”
Renaldo Bothma To Eben
Etzebeth, never one to dodge the hard yards, was brutally honest.
“You’ve got to look at it in two ways,” he said. “Negative or positive. I try to look at things in a positive manner.”
The past season has been rough. Etzebeth played fewer games than he would’ve liked, hampered by recurring injuries. But instead of focusing on frustration, he’s channelled the downtime into something powerful—healing.
“You get bruised up, battered week in, week out. When you’re injured, it’s not like you do nothing. It’s rehab. You strengthen the things that have been bothering you. You get the whole body strong again. And yes, you get time with the family, which is a blessing.”
Eben Etzebeth
It’s that balance—grit and gratitude—that seems to be fuelling Etzebeth’s return.
And the big target on his radar? A clash at Eden Park.
“That’s the big game for me this year,” he revealed. It’s a statement that will make any Springbok fan sit up. Eden Park, fortress of New Zealand rugby, has long haunted the Boks. But for Etzebeth, it’s not a place to fear—it’s the perfect stage to remind the world what he’s made of.
What keeps him inspired through the setbacks, the surgeries, the brutal grind of recovery?
“To run out at a full Loftus or Cape Town Stadium… it’s the ultimate drive.”
Eben Etzebeth
It’s a sentiment that hits home. For Etzebeth, and many like him, the roar of a home crowd isn’t just noise—it’s purpose. A call to arms. A reminder of why they do it. Of what it means to wear the green and gold.
With the Springboks building momentum toward a massive international season, the return of a fully fit Eben Etzebeth couldn’t be more timely. His presence doesn’t just add steel to the pack—it adds belief to the squad and the millions backing them from across Mzansi.
Sure, he’s got the scars, but those come with experience. And Etzebeth isn’t interested in winding down. If anything, he sounds more driven than ever.
“It’s not ideal when you can’t be on the field,” he admitted. “But if the body’s strong now… then we’re ready.”
And with Eden Park on his mind, and Loftus ringing in his heart, Eben Etzebeth is ready to bring the thunder once more.
