South Africa's lock Eben Etzebeth (right) has been declared match fit and will be on the Springbok bench on Saturday. Picture: Miguel MEDINA, AFP
SPRINGBOK fans can breathe a sigh of relief as lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared to play in the upcoming Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
After successfully completing all training sessions this week, Etzebeth has earned a spot on the replacement bench, bolstering the Springboks' options in the critical encounter.
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The Bok enforcer was initially left out of the matchday 23 due to injury concerns earlier in the week. However, his return to full fitness has prompted a late change, with Etzebeth replacing Marco van Staden on the bench.
This move provides the Springboks with a specialist lock cover for the starting duo of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ruan Nortje.
If Etzebeth gets game time on Saturday, it will mark a significant milestone in his illustrious career. The match will be his 125th appearance in the green and gold, allowing him to surpass Bryan Habana as the second-most-capped Springbok of all time.
🚨 BREAKING: Eben Etzebeth has been cleared to face New Zealand on Saturday and will start on the #Springboks bench - full story here: https://t.co/BEAW9sBhoy 🥳#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/koDzlH1juE
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 28, 2024
Etzebeth is now just three caps shy of equalling Victor Matfield's Springbok Test record of 127 caps.
“Our selection policy is clear: if a player doesn’t train on a Monday, they don’t play on Saturday,” explained Springbok Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus. “Eben has trained pain-free all week, so we had to make the tough call to include him in the squad, even at the expense of Marco. Having a specialist lock like Eben on the bench is a significant advantage for us.”
Erasmus also highlighted the depth of the Springbok squad, which currently consists of around 45 players, all fully committed to the team’s plans. “We are fortunate to have such an expanded squad, and the way Marco accepted the news speaks volumes about his character,” Erasmus added.
In addition to Etzebeth's inclusion, Erasmus has released four players – Steven Kitshoff (prop), Manie Libbok (flyhalf), Canan Moodie, and Makazole Mapimpi (both wings) – to their provincial unions for valuable game time in the Carling Currie Cup this weekend. This decision reflects Erasmus’s strategy of ensuring that all squad members remain match-fit and sharp.
The revised Springbok team set to face New Zealand in Johannesburg is as follows:
Starting XV (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi (captain), Ruan Nortje, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Replacements (16-23): Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard
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