Eben Etzebeth Reveals What He Really Thinks of Maro Itoje – And His Response Surprised Fans
Yesterday at 04:53 PM
Eben Etzebeth, the iconic South African powerhouse, is gearing up for a big night at the 2024 World Rugby Awards in Monaco after being nominated for World Player of the Year.
The 33-year-old, who proudly holds the record as the most-capped Springbok ever, is no stranger to this stage. Just last year, he was up for the same honour but lost out to All Blacks star Ardie Savea.
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The Locks He Respects Most
When asked by The Telegraph to name his toughest opponent, Etzebeth, in true cheeky South African style, flipped the script. "I'll turn it around and tell you about guys that I'd like to play a game or two with," he said.
One name on his wish list? None other than New Zealand's Brodie Retallick. "We've played against each other for so many years, and I'd like to play with him for a change just to see how we'd operate and how he thinks about the game."
And the list doesn't stop there. "Tomás Lavanini, I'd like to see how he gets up for a game," Etzebeth mused.
He also gave a shout-out to England's Maro Itoje: "Those are the three locks I've played a lot against in my career. I probably will still play against them a few more times, but I'd also like to be on the other side of things once, just to pick their brains a bit.
“I've got a lot of respect for them. Maybe the Barbarians can get us all together one day."
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Thoughts on Maro Itoje
When diving deeper into his opinion on Itoje, Etzebeth shared, "He's good at disrupting breakdowns. He obviously puts the nines under pressure quite a bit and is busy in the loose.
“I believe – I can't say for sure – that he is a big player for his team. You only know that when you play with someone, but I'm sure he is a leader for his teams."
Etzebeth's words highlight the mutual respect among the game's top forwards, and perhaps, one day, we'll witness these legends joining forces on the field. Now that would be a sight for the ages.
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