South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi (right) poses for a photo with Eben Etzebeth (left) at the Southern Sun Hotel in Mbombela on September 27, 2024 ahead of South Africa's match against Argentina on September 28, 2024. Picture: PHILL MAGAKOE, AFP
Mike Greenaway
There was touching brotherly love between Springbok giants Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth on Saturday night after the world champions gave Etzebeth the perfect party to celebrate his record of 128 appearances for South Africa.
It was an emotional night for the home side in Mbombela, where they annihilated Argentina 48-7 to win the Rugby Championship.
Kolisi paid an emotional tribute to his best friend Etzebeth.
The euphoric Kolisi said: “I want to say, to my best friend, my eerste beste pel, Eben Etzebeth, yster, my brother, I am so grateful that I have walked this journey with you.
“I am grateful that you have been part of my life. Thank you for supporting me from the first day. Coach Rassie named me as captain, you had my back.
“We have been together since we were 18 years old. You have always been by my side. You have been a true friend, and you became a brother.
“You’ve led us as a team in so many ways – how smart you are, how you think about the game and the man you are off the field as well.
“To your family, to your wife, your mother and ... your dad is not with us anymore, but he was watching us today.
“I’m so proud of you. I’m so grateful to be your friend. I can’t wait to tell my kids, I played with Eben Ysterbeth. Cheers my brother, I love you.”
The 32-year-old lock Etzebeth was in tears during the national anthem before the game, and thanked his teammates for making it a memorable occasion.
“The milestone wouldn’t have been nice if we’d lost this game, so the team really showed up tonight (Saturday),” Etzebeth said.
“The Rugby Championship was on the line. It was a final, and we all wanted to win that trophy. The guys wanted to make it special for me, but it will always be a team sport, and the trophy was the big thing. It was an unbelievable performance from everyone.”
Kolisi’s Boks won five of their six matches in the Rugby Championship but they saved their best for last in demolishing the Pumas before a sold-out Mbombela Stadium.
“Mbombela, you delivered again,” Kolisi said of the seething atmosphere. “We love playing here. This is our last game of the year at home, and we wanted to say thank you to our supporters with a fitting performance.”
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus praised his team for hitting back after their 29-28 loss in Argentina last weekend. “Argentina (became) tired (in) trying to stop our tight five all the time – it was a bit like slow poison. It was a learning school for us last week,” Erasmus said.
“Things were really tight in the beginning and they kept us out. But we did not want to stand back, it was all about temperament and leadership for us. It is the first time in a long time that we scored seven tries.
“It’s getting better. To go to that more exciting brand of rugby is a bit difficult, but we are getting there. It was a gutsy performance and there was enough effort, and I do think there were brilliant plays at stages.”
The Boks are next in action in November. They play tour matches against Scotland, Wales and England in the UK.
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