VIDEO: How Etzebeth can get to another World Cup

Eben Etzebeth, the most capped Springbok of all time, is a natural leader who could be as effective in 2027 as he was at last year’s World Cup in France.

That, in a nutshell, is the view of Sharks coach John Plumtree.

Etzebeth made his international debut for the Springboks in 2012 and won his 128th cap against Argentina in Nelspruit last month – making him South Africa’s most-capped player.

At an imposing height of 2.03 meters and weighing in at 120-odd kilograms (it may vary from time to time), he possesses the physical attributes and skills necessary that make him a true Springbok legend.

At 30 years of age, Etzebeth became the youngest player to achieve a century of Test match appearance for South Africa, and he capped the occasion by scooping the Man of the Match award in the 30-14 win against Wales at Newlands.

For such a colossal body, Etzebeth boasts an impressive skillset to compliment his abrasive attitude towards the game.

Nobody batted an eyelid when Plumtree went fully loaded on Bok muscle for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship face-off with defending champions Glasgow Warriors at Kings Park.

Six Springbok forwards, including the entire front row, and six more in the backline, headlines the selection. Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch form an all-international front row, with the most capped Bok Eben Etzebeth packing in behind them.

Back from his stint in France is Siya Kolisi, linking up with one-cap Bok Phendulani Buthelezi in the back row.

Former Glenwood Boys High scholars Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse make up a Springbok halfback pairing, while Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am and Aphelele Fassi also return from international duty.

Add in Andre Esterhuizen and the team has some real strike power.

However, the decision to name Etzebeth as captain ahead of his Bok skipper, Kolisi, did catch a few by surprise.

Plumtree feels Etzebeth is the right man for the job.

The 32-year-old has captained the Springboks 13 times, even though 11 of those were back in 2017.

Rassie Erasmus entrusted him with the Bok captaincy in 2019 against Australia and 2023 against New Zealand.

Plumtree said Etzebeth did a ‘great’ job as Sharks captain when he took over from Am in 2023.

“He enjoys the role of a leader,” Plumtree said, adding: “He is a natural in the way he runs the team.

“He allows others to lead in different areas and he is demanding of others – including his fellow leaders.”

The coach said Etzebeth has earned a ‘tremendous amount’ of respect from everyone at the Sharks.

“He is passionate about wanting to do well.

“For someone who has achieved so much on the international stage, he is still very passionate and hungry.

“You could see what it meant to him when we [the Sharks] won the Challenge Cup last season.

“He was the first one to text [message] me when we [Sharks] won the Currie Cup [last month].

“He is that type of character – who is competitive and wants to win all the time.

“That mindset and attitude rubs off on others.

“That is ultimately what you want in a leader.”

Plumtree said players like Johan Muller and John Smit were similar ‘natural leaders’.

In New Zealand, he ‘rubbed shoulders’ with Tana Umaga, TJ Perenara and Dane Coles.

“They all have similar characteristics,” the coach said, adding: “Eben has that, Siya has that and Bongi has that.

“They want to win at all costs and that is what drives them.”

(WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree explains what makes the most capped Springbok Eben Etzebeth the ‘ultimate’ captain and how he can reach the next World Cup – Australia 2027….)

Etzebeth, at the ‘mature’ age of 32, has had his share of injury setbacks – including knee surgery earlier this year, shoulder issues and a meniscus problem that troubled him during the Rugby Championship.

Plumtree said he is not seeing any signs of the giant lock ‘slowing down’ just yet – despite his age and the obvious ‘wear-and-tear’.

“He [Etzebeth] is such a good athlete,” he said, adding: “His speed is still good, his strength is still good.

“It is a testament to his professionalism as an athlete and how he goes about his business.

“If we manage him properly here [at the Sharks] and he has the desire he can do another World Cup.

“That is what I admire about him.

?Players can do well in a structured environment, but when they are outside that environment it is about how well they structure their own time and being the best they can be.

“Players have long careers because of the way they manage their bodies and how they look after themselves.

“It takes a lot of discipline and commitment.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com