Terrifying South African star has earned a reputation as ‘scariest man in rugby’
England must overcome the intimidating threat posed by Eben Etzebeth and the Springboks if they wish to advance to the Rugby World Cup final.
Although there’s a good chance England will defeat South Africa this weekend and advance to the Rugby World Cup final, Steve Borthwick’s team will undoubtedly face a difficult challenge from the Springboks.
England advanced to the semi-finals with a tight 30–24 victory over Fiji last weekend, while South Africa eliminated hosts France with one of the best games of the competition thus far. Some have called Rassie Erasmus’s team’s victory over France (29–28) the best rugby match they have ever witnessed.
But now that the victory over Fiji is firmly in the past, England has been getting ready to play the Springboks, the team that defeated them in the Rugby World Cup final in Japan four years ago. That day, South Africa’s pack physically overpowered England, enabling them to win 32–12 and claim their third World Cup championship.
Etzebeth got into a fight with 6ft4in Jamie Ritchie during South Africa’s 18-3 victory over Scotland during the pool stages, making the flanker appear short in comparison.
Etzebeth has never back down from a fight, even in the past. Social media was flooded with footage from 2022 showing an enraged Etzebeth pushing Australia prop Allan Alaalatoa, who appeared to be going to injure the latter severely on the field during their international test match.
But after the game, when the dust had settled, Etzebeth and Alaalatoa were grinning and enjoying a beer in the locker rooms. The fact that South Africa won the match 24–8 most likely helped as well.
However, this wasn’t the first time the South African lock has seen red in recent memory. When Etzebeth attacked Australian full-back Israel Folau after he tackled his teammate by dragging him down by his hair back in 2017, it set off a massive touchline fight.
As the Springboks captain that day, Etzebeth took matters into his own hands, pushing Folau into touch before putting the Australian’s team-mate Kurtley Beale through a wrestling match.
Players from both sides joined the fight in an effort to defuse the situation after it happened. Referee Ben O’Keeffe reprimanded Etzebeth after the game, but as Folau had tackled winger Dillyn Leyds high, Etzebeth got away with it.