Orie eyes partnership with Etzebeth
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock Marvin Orie is hoping that he will get an opportunity to play with his school friend Eben Etzebeth in the Springboks’ second row.
The 28-year-old Orie played off the bench in South Africa’s 32-12 win over Argentina in the opening round of the 2021 Rugby Championship.
It was a rare opportunity for Orie, who finds himself behind players like Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert in the pecking order in the squad.
With squad rotation very much a part of the Springboks’ approach to workload, Orie is hoping to get more opportunities in the next few weeks.
He replaced Etzebeth in the second half of Saturday’s match, but he is hoping this will be the year he finally gets an opportunity to play alongside the 90-Test veteran.
“We both went to Tygerberg High School in Cape Town, so I’ve known him since then,” said Orie.
“We got a good relationship and I learn quite a bit from him.
“Since school we have said we hope to one day play together [for the Boks].
“We have not yet had the chance to be on the field at the same time. But we are both in the group now and maybe sometime in the future that will happen.
“As players, we always have to be ready to perform whatever role the team needs and the role the coaches put you in.”
Orie believes his own game has improved by being with the rest of the locks in the squad.
“If you look at all the locks in this group, they are world-class players.
“There is Eben, Lood, Franco and Nicolaas [Janse van Rensburg] is also a very good player and we learn so much from each other.
“I think my personal game has grown and I am looking forward to more growth by being involved with the team.”
#NEWS: The Springboks are starting to look thin in the loose forward department after another player joined the injury list. #RSAvARG #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/yNCO9GyEmG
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 16, 2021
