'We knew what was on the line': Etzebeth opens up on Boks' mental shift after Ellis Park defeat
INTERVIEW: Eben Etzebeth revealed how the Boks drew on previous negative experiences to turn their fortunes around following their opening defeat to the All Blacks in the Greatest Rivalry at Ellis Park.
There’s an old saying: “A week in rugby is a long time.”
It’s been nearly three weeks since the All Blacks stunned the World Champions at their fortress of Ellis Park.
Now it’s a distant memory after the Boks won back-to-back Tests in Cape Town and Soweto, respectively, to go up 2-1 and secure at least half of the RGR trophy heading into the Baltimore decider.
Etzebeth has seen and done it all with the national team.
The veteran lock revealed how his and the team’s previous experience helped to turn the ship around heading into this weekend’s fixture.
“The coaching staff must take big credit there – they always keep us honest, and when we don’t have a good game they’ll tell us.
“Also, the players pull together when we don’t start well.
“It happened during the British and Irish Lions series where we went 0-1 down. In both World Cups we lost a pool game, and there was no more room for losing.
“We’ve been in this situation before, and we said after the first Test match that we can’t lose another game, so the pressure was on.
“As I said, the players and coaching staff knew what was on the line – it’s a special series against the All Blacks, being the first time in 30 years.
“We obviously want to win it, and we knew we had to dig deep in the second and third Tests to get into the position to do so.”
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Etzebeth added his thoughts regarding the decider being played on neutral ground.
“There have been a couple of Test matches played in America; I know the All Blacks faced Ireland here a couple of times.
“It’s my first time in America, and also with the World Cup in 2031, they’re trying to grow the game in the country.
“This Test match is definitely a good start in doing so, with us facing the All Blacks here in Baltimore.
“It’s very exciting, I’m sure there are many South Africans here, but also several Americans who will come out and watch the game, and hopefully enjoy it as well.”
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The most capped Springbok concluded by reflecting on how the Boks prepared throughout the series and the effect the brutality of these Tests had on his body.
“It’s brutal, but it remains a massive privilege to play against the All Blacks four weeks consecutively; it’s great for all of us.
“Regarding our preparation, it was tough in the build-up for the first Test, and as the weeks progressed it became less because we know them and we know one ot two tweaks would be made.
“The preparation side of it wasn’t too challenging – we know what’s coming and it’s a lekker [nice] challenge.”
