Eben Etzebeth not done yet: Springboks' enforcer still burning to wear No 4

The bad news for the Springboks’ chief rivals is that Eben Etzebeth’s competitive fire burns brighter than ever — and he is determined to hang onto his iconic No 4 jersey for as long as possible.

With the Rugby Championship just a month away, the towering lock has issued a timely warning: he feels fresh, fit, and hungry.

“I want to wear that No 4 jersey in the green and gold as many times as possible,” the 133-Test veteran told Rapport.

“The competitive spirit is still strong in me — I’m not giving up my place. I want to be in the team for as long as possible.”

Most players of Etzebeth’s vintage would be tempted toward the pipe and slippers after a career’s worth of bruising battles, but the 33-year-old insists he’s far from done.

“I’m not thinking about playing until a certain year — I’m just going to keep pushing. The key is staying fit and avoiding injury, because recovery is harder as you get older.

“The curtain falls for everyone. It came early for Steven Kitshoff, but that was due to injury — it could have happened when he was 24.”

Etzebeth admits he keeps a close eye on the younger crop coming through, and while he mentors them, their rise fuels his own fire.

“Every year the younger guys are just bigger, better, and faster,” he said. “Players like Salmaan Moerat and Ruan Nortje are already world-class. They push me to improve — and that’s the way it should be.”

This year, Etzebeth has battled concussion issues and barely featured for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship. Yet the enforced lay-off may have been a blessing in disguise.

“I haven’t played a lot this year. The body feels good. I feel fresh. I’m ready to get a good couple of games under the belt and perform.

“I struggled with concussions, which kept me out for a few months. It wasn’t great for me or the Sharks, but in hindsight, the body was able to rest up a bit.

“When there is an injury, I always try to see the positive in it. You get time away from rugby and spend time with your family, which is always good.

“I played four games this year for the Sharks, so that’s not a lot. I played just over 40 minutes against Italy in the first Test (and against Georgia). That’s not a lot of match minutes for the year so far, so I feel good.”

Etzebeth is part of a core group of Springboks on the wrong side of 30 and under growing scrutiny as the build-up to the 2027 World Cup in Australia begins. Names like Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi, and Faf de Klerk all face similar questions.

But for Etzebeth, the approach is simple: take it one season at a time.

“I don’t think the guys are setting goals for themselves to make it this year or that year. We’re going year by year, trying to keep performing and be a part of the Bok set-up.

“I try to keep pushing myself and not fall behind when it comes to fitness or running. I try to stay as fit as possible.

“The challenging thing is to keep your body injury-free because when you get older, the recovery is a bit harder — but we’re trying hard to keep being in the mix.”