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Eben Etzebeth roars back into form to help South Africa level All Blacks rugby series

Last weekend in Cape Town, Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth led his team to a 33-26 victory over the All Blacks. He harassed the lineout, spoiled three attacking throw-ins, and completed 18 tackles.
Critics previously questioned whether the veteran lock should retire before the New Zealand tour, but Etzebeth silenced doubters. He has played 144 tests and remains a feared enforcer anchoring the South African pack.
On the Rugby Rivals podcast, former Springbok lock Victor Matfield praised Etzebeth's 'take-no-prisoners attitude.' Matfield said, "He hasn't played a lot, he's not in great form, but he stood out."
The 'Bomb Squad' rotation strategy has successfully extended the career of the most-capped Springbok. South Africa's 33-26 win demonstrates how Etzebeth's physical presence remains instrumental to disrupting opponents.
Johannesburg's FNB Stadium will host the third test this Saturday. Etzebeth remains focused on improvement as he approaches a potential 2027 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal appearance in Sydney.

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