Etzebeth recalled his early days during an appearance on the show 'Boks Unpacked', hosted by rugby legends Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger, and Hanyani Shimange. Initially a backline player, his physical growth during adolescence was nothing short of extraordinary.
"I was still at U14/U15 medium size with the other kids in my school, and then at 16 I was still in the back line. But over that year I started gyming with my brother, and in that year I just grew. By the end of U19 I was probably 1.95m, from an average 16-year-old to that, and I picked up a good 25, 30kgs in that year."
The physical transition wasn't without its challenges. Etzebeth shared insights on his approach to training, emphasizing that while strength is crucial, mental and technical skills are equally important. "Many young guys think you must gym to play rugby really well, but you need to have the skill and the IQ for rugby as well. It’s not just about lifting big weights."
Despite a distinguished career, the path hasn't been without hurdles. In 2026, Etzebeth has yet to play due to various injuries, including a hip issue and a concussion. His last appearance for the Springboks ended controversially with a 12-week suspension following a disciplinary hearing for an incident during a match against Wales.
Etzebeth reminisced about past on-field altercations, particularly a notable clash with Australia's Allan Alaalatoa during a Rugby Championship match, sparked by a try from teammate Makazole Mapimpi. The brawl that ensued was intense, but ended with sportsmanship. "I must say before that game there was the whole Mapimpi-Koroibete thing and there was that whole build-up," he recalled. "It was quite intense and then Mapimpi scored in the other corner and started brawling a bit with Koroibete and everyone came in. If you’re there, you must help."
He also touched on a more recent incident against Wales, where a misunderstanding led to unintended consequences.
"Something happened with me last year against Wales; it was unintentional, and the other guy knew it, and we also shook hands afterwards. Once you really become personal and stuff, we don’t have a place for that in the game."
The second-row enforcer noted how the nature of physicality in rugby has evolved, explaining that the game now demands a broader display of strength across many players, not just a select few enforcers. "The game has also changed. Where in the past there were maybe three or four physical guys, nowadays also what Rassie (Erasmus) now requires – physicality is key. Probably if you don’t have that you won’t get selected, so it’s not all on me. I know there is Ox (Nche) and Malcolm (Marx) and Damian (de Allende) bumping forwards."
With the Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks approaching, Etzebeth and his team are focused on continuing their legacy, building on their experiences and preparation to once again aim for the pinnacle of world rugby. The journey from a teenage winger to a revered second-row is a testament to his resilience and evolution as a player.
