Etzebeth to become youngest Springbok centurion

A vigorous roar will ascend from the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday when the burly frame of one of the city’s and country’s favourite sons takes the field ahead of his teammates.  

Eben Etzebeth is set to become the youngest Springbok centurion this weekend as South Africa and Wales battle it out for the series decider.  

It has been a remarkable journey in the colours of his country – one in which the 2.03m, 122kg bruiser gained a reputation as one of the hardest men of the modern era – and began back in 2012 when the Boks hosted England at Kings Park in Durban: 

“It was a good feeling. I was 20 and made my debut a day before my mom’s 50th birthday,” Etzebeth told SA Rugby magazine. “We were talking about that in France the other day. It’s amazing how time flies. 

“We had played the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld and I remember Allister Coetzee telling me and a few of my teammates – like Jean de Villiers and Bryan Habana – that we were in the Springbok squad. We got the win at Loftus that day and I got quite emotional. It was a dream come true. I still had to play the actual Test, but still, it was the first step, being in the squad. 

“Your Test debut goes so quickly. I just wish it could happen all over again so I could enjoy every moment. It was amazing, but also a surreal experience.” 

With the prestigious prospect of joining names such as John Smit, Victor Matfield, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery and Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, Etzebeth’s achievement is significantly more impressive in light of the fact that the milestone will be reached in record time. He was the youngest ever Springbok to reach 50 Test caps (aged just 24) and will now become the youngest centurion.  

“It is amazing just to be a part of everything. This will be something I never would have dreamt of. It is just an amazing situation to be in,” said Etzebeth. “It is difficult to put into words.”