Etzebeth expects an enraged Pumas team intent on revenge
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth is expecting a fired-up Argentina side that will pitch up ‘full of hate’ for the Rugby Championship decider against the Pumas at the Allianz Stadium in London on Saturday.
Speaking to the media from their hotel in London on Tuesday, the 33-year-old Etzebeth said history is on the cards if the Springboks can win the competition back-to-back for the first time.
The Springboks have won a record four Rugby World Cups, including the two most recent editions in 2019 and 2023.
But successive titles in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, featuring New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, have so far eluded South Africa.
They head into Saturday’s final round of matches sitting a point ahead of New Zealand following a 67-30 hammering of Argentina in Durban last weekend.
That result also left them with a huge points difference advantage over New Zealand, which is one of several tie-breakers if the top two finish level.
Etzebeth is expecting a massive onslaught from the Pumas, even saying the Argentinians will be ‘angry’.
“As a team, we have achieved a lot under coach Rassie [Erasmus], but one thing we have never done is to win this competition back-to-back.
“It is a huge challenge for us; one that will be exceptional should we manage to do it,” the experienced lock stated.
“But is easier said than done,” he said, adding: “Argentina will be angry on Saturday. They will come with a lot of hate if I can state it like that, given the result last weekend.”
One. More. Round 😤
Things are TIGHT at the top and it’s anybody’s guess as to who will lift the trophy in 2025 🏆#TheRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/Qz6pvZnVNa
— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) September 29, 2025
According to Etzebeth, the most experienced Springbok of all time, the Bok team will not sit back and rest on their laurels because, despite the huge victory last weekend, they have to improve on that performance.
“We have to be even better to make sure we can win this thing.”
The gargantuan lock hopes that Twickenham will have a twinge of green in the stands this weekend, just like it was in 2023 when they played against the All Blacks before the World Cup.
“The last time we played here against a mutual team, it was the All Blacks, and there were quite a few South Africans.
“We don’t talk about how much support there will be or not, we just focus on the task at hand, and hopefully we can get a great result this weekend.
“If there are a lot of supporters this weekend, then it will be a bonus, but it is not something we talk about.
“We just want to arrive on Saturday and play a great test match,” he concluded.
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