Etzebeth fixes on tour success
CAPTAIN: WE’RE DEFINITELY A TIGHTER UNIT THIS TIME
Springboks take on Ireland next weekend in Dublin.
Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth stressed that the biggest motivation on their European tour would be to get the big “W” behind their name. The Boks departed in two groups last night and today via Doha for Tests that will include Ireland next weekend, followed by France, Italy and Wales.
“This tour will probably determine whether our year has been successful or not,” said Etzebeth.
Last year the Boks suffered defeats of 37-21 to England, 20-18 to Italy and 27-13 to Wales on their November tour but the skipper said that door has been closed.
“We are definitely looking forward to the tour and taking it week by week,” he said.
“Ireland will be our first Test and it will definitely be a big challenge for us. They are a very good team, but we are embracing the challenge.”
The Boks were unbeaten in their first five Tests of the year yet failed to get a win in their last four Tests. But apart from the big loss to the All Blacks in Albany, there has been a massive upward curve.
“When we played Ireland last year we were probably not together for more than three or four weeks and now we have been together for almost two years,” said Etzebeth.
“The guys got to know one another better, we are definitely a more tight unit this time around.”
While the Boks beat Ireland 2-1 in the Test series last year, there was only a six-point margin in all three of the tightly contested encounters.
“Last year we played them here in June and now we are going there so the conditions will probably not be all that great,” said Etzebeth who has captained the Boks in their last seven Tests since taking over from the injured Warren Whiteley.
“But that’s something we will have to adapt to, we are not a team who likes to make excuses.”