As the titans of rugby prepare to clash at Ellis Park, the spotlight intensifies on the colossal matchup between Wallabies' lock Will Skelton and Springboks' powerhouse Eben Etzebeth. Japan's head coach Eddie Jones, a seasoned strategist who has seen his share of rugby wars, anticipates this showdown with the eagerness of a promoter eyeing a blockbuster bout. Both Skelton and Etzebeth, acclaimed for their formidable presence on the field, have earned Jones' respect as the "best heavyweights in the world."
Despite no longer wearing the captain's armband, Skelton remains an integral force within the Wallabies, praised by teammate Tom Hooper for his gritty, enforcing play style. "He’s an enforcer, and that’s what he’s been doing for a long time now in the beautiful sport of rugby," Hooper highlighted.
"He loves being that grub. He loves taking it to teams physically and making the gentleman’s game a bit more exciting,"
Hooper added, expressing his awe at Skelton's sheer physicality.Jones, with his tactical acumen, penned in his latest column that this face-off is one not to be missed, paralleling it to a prizefight that renowned promoter Eddie Hearn would relish. "Looking ahead to Saturday, the biggest match-up I’m looking forward to is Will Skelton v Eben Etzebeth. This is a bout that Eddie Hearn would be pleased to promote- the two best heavyweights in the world going toe to toe!" Jones expressed. He anticipates an explosive encounter, predicting that both players will be "bouncing off the walls" in preparation.
Zooming in on what makes Skelton a critical asset for the Wallabies, Jones pointed out his unmatched ability to break through tackles.
"What Will does better than anyone else is get his head and shoulders through contact and out the other side to win the collision and to set up quick ball,"
Jones detailed, setting expectations for a fierce battle in the scrums, especially with the Wallabies fielding a hefty 297kg on their tighthead side, challenging even the formidable Bok pack.As the game approaches, the anticipation builds not just for the outcome but for the monumental clashes it promises. With leaders like Skelton and strategies from minds like Jones, this match is poised to be a memorable milestone in the annals of rugby.