Ireland go into Saturday’s test against South Africa with a depleted squad following the withdrawal of Paul O’Connell. The loss of the Munster captain adds to the injury list of Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris.
The absence of Ferris and O’Connell will be keenly felt when Ireland first come face to face with the promising, and fearsome, twenty one year old South African lock Eben Etzebeth. Having celebrated his twenty first birthday in late October, and holding an international record of just eight appearances for the Springboks, the young man from Cape Town has started to build the reputation of a player far more familiar with, and hardened by, the arena of test match battles.
The man deemed to be the heir to the throne of Bakkies Botha was nominated for South African rugby player of the year, young player of the year and Super 15 player of the year at the recent SARU (South African Rugby Union) player of the year awards. He was awarded young player of the year and comes to the Northern Hemisphere as a marked man, an unknown quantity and a rich source of concern for Ireland’s front row who must now face an oncoming fierce physical battle without the power and leadership of Ferris and O’Connell.
A cursory look at some of the Stormers man’s highlights underline what a concerning prospect this is. Etzebeth gained notoriety in South African rugby when he knocked Bismarck Du Plessis, the famed and feared Boks hooker, out cold in a summer meeting between the Stormers and Du Plessis’s Sharks. Etzebeth received the ball in a standing position, leaving him exposed to the will of the onrushing Du Plessis. Most players in world rugby, no matter their size, are destined to lose that battle. The ensuing clash left Du Plessis unconscious while Etzebeth charged on through two more challenges.
The Irish forwards always expected a war with the Springboks, but heading into battle without leaders such as Ferris and O’Connell merely adds worry and weight to their broad shoulders. It’s hard to not think the introduction to Eben Etzebeth couldn’t have waited a little longer.
Some additional Etzebeth info- in case you weren’t worried enough
-It is mentioned the following video, that while training in the gym with the Western Province team Etzebeth had to request someone go out and get more weight for him to lift. There, literally, were no more weights.
We’re not saying it’s true, sadly we haven’t been able to confirm the fairly wild claim, but if you choose to believe it and mention it to people before Saturday evening then we wouldn’t hold it against you.
-Etzebeth’s under 21 coach at Western Province, John Dobson, said of him “His biceps are something of a talking point around him. They’re massive and when we have fines meetings we make him show them off as a party trick. He is just ridiculously strong.
Dobson also said, as if warning that the biceps aren’t just used for show and tell at WP meetings- “Eben is not as dirty as some locks who fulfil the role he does but he is also no angel. Let’s put it this way, I wouldn’t like to cross him on the field. In fact, I wouldn’t play against him at all. He’s scary.”
Here’s video of Etzebeth’s massive hit on Du Plessis, and another of Etzebeth losing the cool against Australia as he attempts to headbutt Nathan Sharpe. Etzebeth was banned for two matches as a result.
Du Plessis hit
Headbutt on Nathan Sharpe
