Been there, done that — and Eben is a 7/1 split fan
● There isn’t much, you’d think, that would bring a glint to Eben Etzebeth’s eye. With 114 Tests under his belt before last night’s clash against Ireland in Paris, he has presumably seen it all.
Though he has seen the object of his new affection once before, it still excites him.
The Boks’ seven/one bench configuration has split opinion but there is no question which half Etzebeth is in. “I like it a lot,” said the lock, knees high while leaning forward on a sofa just off the lobby of the Bok hotel this week.
When the Boks unveiled their team containing seven forwards on the bench for their game against Ireland, it again got tongues wagging, as it did in the aftermath of their crushing defeat of the All Blacks in London last month. On that occasion the Boks said they were pressed into that configuration following an 11th hour injury to Willie le Roux.
This time, the move is up front, in your face. It is carefully considered, calculated.
The Bok brains trust have run the numbers, and Etzebeth has bought a ticket.
“It is a great plan but with great plans come risks too, with just one back on the bench — but I’m a big fan of the 7/1 split.”
As the Bok pack’s enforcer-in-chief, he knows a few more able bodies will help take the Boks forward.
At its core, the seven forwards coming off the bench present the Boks the opportunity to keep up high levels of intensity across 80 minutes. It isn’t just the power, but the unrelenting speed at which they force their opponents to operate.
They can exact a full toll on the opposing pack, and reap distinct benefits if the game is mainly played at close quarters, or even with width. They have fetchers around every corner.
“As a forward, you know you can give everything for 50-60 minutes because you know there is a fresh player on the bench who is just as good, and is hungry to get on,” Etzebeth explained the theory.
He held his palms together for much of the interview, and started rubbing them together when asked about how the Boks are pushing boundaries. They are prepared to try new things, take risks. “Innovation is much needed in rugby,” he said matter-of-factly.
“No team stays number one for years on end because the other teams learn how to catch up. You always have to strive to improve... get new ideas. If we were the same team from 2019, other teams would have learnt, and they would have matched us in that department. That’s why you have to get new ideas into your game plan.”
The Boks aren’t done yet, though he admits they’ve perhaps pushed far enough for now. “There is definitely scope for more innovation. The problem, however, is the short practice time to do those things. In the World Cup, you can try and change one or two plays but you can’t just change your game plan. It comes with time.”
The evolution of the Bok team has helped keep Etzebeth engaged. With so many Test caps behind him, the 31-year-old may have a jaded view of the game and the way in which it is played.
His love for rugby and his childhood dream spur him on. “To me, the Springboks were always the best team there could be. That was always my goal and what motivated me. I also have a family that has always been there for me, and you want to make them proud; to make my wife proud and maybe your kids one day.”
The Boks aren’t going away, and neither is Etzebeth. They have one pool match remaining in which he is unlikely
It is a great plan but with great plans come risks too, with just one back on the bench, but I’m a big fan of the 7/1 split
Eben Etzebeth
Springboks lock
to play. After the game against Tonga the business end of the tournament arrives.
Do the bigger games call for a change in psyche?
“I try and have the same mindset,” he answered.
Being the defending champions does not open doors. Etzebeth says they don’t derive confidence from being champions but from specific past battles.”We don’t approach it like we are the champions, and we’ve won some battles. Every Test is a challenge. You may be unbeaten across four years but if you don’t win three or four pool games, or you lose a quarterfinal, it counts for nothing.
“We can’t be half arrogant about what happened in the past, and have confidence that we can do it again. Siya’s (Kolisi) first Test as captain was against England, and we were 21 points down. If we fall behind, we can always look at that game because we came back. You do draw confidence from that but we try not to fall 21 points behind.”