If Nic White dominated social media following last week’s match between the Boks and the Wallabies, this week it is Eben Etzebeth’s angry face that is causing tremors in the rugby world.
And it is reasonable to conclude that the two episodes are connected, given it was a very furious Springbok squad that entered the field in Sydney following perceived injustices in Adelaide, and White recklessly fueled the fury by continuously talking about the South Africans as emotions escalated.
Note to self: Eben Etzebeth is not to be trifled with pic.twitter.com/PIN5Mn44ES
— SuperSport on Twitter (@SuperSportTV) on September 3, 2022
White had a bloodied mouth early in the game and is heard protesting to the referee that he was attacked…
And the fuse was lit on the powder keg ten minutes from the end when Makazole Mapimpi scored in the corner despite the best efforts of his opponent from last week, Marika Koroibete, and as the Bok wing rose triumphantly from the tryline, he gently placed a hand on Koroibete’s chin and gave him some words.
I believe that sometimes we forget how fucking terrible Eben Etzebeth is, and that he needs a moment like that to remind us all.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) September 3, 2022
Then, the devil broke free. Etzebeth, who accompanied Allan Alaalatoa for a “little walk” around the goal area, was unavoidably in the center of the melee, which involved the majority of players from both teams.
Although the Australian seemed at one point to be trying to gouge Etzebeth’s eye, the insane rage on the Bok enforcer’s face revealed that Alaalatoa was on the verge of having his head severed.
This is the beloved Eben Etzebeth we know and love! pic.twitter.com/zwRfrrL8Nm
September 3, 2022 — Pat McCarry (@patmccarry)
In the background, a terrified judge observes…
Etzebeth was in fact the interim captain when Siya Kolisi was removed, but he was not penalized whereas Mapimpi was, despite the fact that his attempt was allowed to stand.