As the Autumn Nations Series heats up, towering Springboks second-rower Eben Etzebeth is licking his chops at the prospect of tackling Ireland in Dublin, a venue that’s been nothing short of a fortress against South African ambitions since 2012. With a winless streak hanging over their heads, the Boks are buzzing after a stellar season, including clinching the Rugby Championship title once again.
Etzebeth, fresh from earning his 139th cap against France, is bubbling with anticipation for the clash.
“They have been in the top three of the world rankings for the last couple of years, so they are a quality outfit and we are looking forward to this game,”
he remarked. The matchup at the Aviva Stadium is more than just another game; it’s a chance to shatter a decade-long jinx.
Despite the bitter taste of their last outing in Dublin—a narrow 19-16 defeat in 2022—Etzebeth dismisses the idea of dwelling on past failures.
“This is a completely different challenge. A lot can happen in rugby in one week, and many things have changed since then,”
he explained, signaling the team’s forward-looking mindset.
The dynamic within the Springboks’ camp is intriguing, with Irish connections through assistant coaches Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery, and players like Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman who ply their trade in Ireland. However, Etzebeth downplays any advantage this might confer. “We have quite a few foreigners in our management group, but we don’t see them as such – we see them as part of the Springboks, and we get along very well with all of them,” he stated, confident in the cohesion within the squad.
With the Ireland game poised to be a tactical showdown, the Springboks' preparations are on point, with their eyes firmly set on breaking the Dublin curse before heading to Cardiff to face Wales. The blend of seasoned insights and fresh strategies could very well tilt the scales in what promises to be a riveting encounter on Irish soil.
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As the Autumn Nations Series heats up, towering Springboks second-rower Eben Etzebeth is licking his chops at the prospect of tackling Ireland in Dublin, a venue that’s been nothing short of a fortress against South African ambitions since 2012. With a winless streak hanging over their heads, the Boks are buzzing after a stellar season, including clinching the Rugby Championship title once again.
Etzebeth, fresh from earning his 139th cap against France, is bubbling with anticipation for the clash.
“They have been in the top three of the world rankings for the last couple of years, so they are a quality outfit and we are looking forward to this game,”
he remarked. The matchup at the Aviva Stadium is more than just another game; it’s a chance to shatter a decade-long jinx.Despite the bitter taste of their last outing in Dublin—a narrow 19-16 defeat in 2022—Etzebeth dismisses the idea of dwelling on past failures.
“This is a completely different challenge. A lot can happen in rugby in one week, and many things have changed since then,”
he explained, signaling the team’s forward-looking mindset.The dynamic within the Springboks’ camp is intriguing, with Irish connections through assistant coaches Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery, and players like Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman who ply their trade in Ireland. However, Etzebeth downplays any advantage this might confer. “We have quite a few foreigners in our management group, but we don’t see them as such – we see them as part of the Springboks, and we get along very well with all of them,” he stated, confident in the cohesion within the squad.
With the Ireland game poised to be a tactical showdown, the Springboks' preparations are on point, with their eyes firmly set on breaking the Dublin curse before heading to Cardiff to face Wales. The blend of seasoned insights and fresh strategies could very well tilt the scales in what promises to be a riveting encounter on Irish soil.