Despite the fact that Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has made a few changes to the lineup for certain matches this year, Eben Etzebeth has been a consistent throughout 2022.
The 30-year-old lock played with the ‘B squad’ in the second Wales Test in Bloemfontein, albeit that was mostly to guarantee that he would be able to earn his 100th Test cap the following week at the Cape Town Stadium.
Etzebeth has participated in each of the six matches played this year. And knowing the difficulties of the Boks, it would not be surprising if he played against Argentina in the two Rugby Championship matches later this month in Buenos Aires and Durban.
At that time, Nienaber is anticipated to give several bench players game time, therefore Etzebeth is likely to take a break. However, weirder things have occurred…
The guy himself does not seem to want for a respite. Last week, he said during a press conference that he wanted to play as much as possible.
“I do not want to relax! I want to participate in each game for the Boks. Consequently, I hope coach Jacques will continue to choose me! “My body feels great, and I still feel youthful,” remarked the newly-signed member of the Sharks.
“If a player has played a lot over the week, we certainly have plans to take him out of training on occasion. But I am delighted to perform.”
Etzebeth will start at No. 4 against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday (kickoff at 11.35 a.m. South African time), as he will want to play in every game. However, there are occasions when the coach has make the call.
A year before the World Cup, it is not worth taking the risk of running such a vital figure into the ground. Etzebeth must be carefully handled over the next twelve months to guarantee that he is in peak condition for France 2023.
The same can be said about his lock mate Lood de Jager, who was the finest Bok on the field in last week’s 25-17 loss in Adelaide. Next year’s World Cup will be crucial for De Jager’s offensive and defensive efforts on the field, since he is the line-out coordinator.
However, he has played extensively this year and should at least sit out the Argentina Tests.
Equally crucial is Nienaber’s need to increase depth in the second row. Franco Mostert is the only other proven lock in the team, and he is playing blindside flank in the Sydney Test, which does not help things.
He should be De Jager’s backup and should play more at a No. 5 for the remainder of the season, particularly if RG Snyman is still sidelined.
Marvin Orie is the next No. 5 in the national setup, however he was removed from the group following the Wales series and is presently participating in United Rugby Championship preseason training with the Stormers.
He should also return for the match against Argentina.
Salmaan Moerat is the only other viable No. 4 lock who can cover for Etzebeth, although he has not played much this season either.
What if Etzebeth suffers an injury shortly before the World Cup next year? Moerat must be prepared to be the pack enforcer for the Boks.