Matfield’s greatest Springbok of all time

Eben Etzebeth…..backed up by his 144 test caps. And being a lock Victor, one of the greatest himself, is in a position to judge. The pace he showed down the wing last week, his strength evident in every tackle and his lineout prowess, dominating the front of the lineout, all huge. And his presence when he steps on the field, the one guy you don’t mess around with….take him out of this Springbok team and things become much less certain.

‘ Former South Africa captain Victor Matfield has hailed Eben Etzebeth as “probably the best Springbok of all time” after the veteran lock produced a towering response to the pressure surrounding his form in Saturday’s series-levelling 33-26 victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town’

I agree 100% hard to really think of anyone else coming close.

How he has that many caps and is still playing like he has the last two weekends is beyond belief.

You compare that to guys like Lood and RG who it feels like have spent most of their careers injured.

The man is super human

We're going to feel it when guys like Eben, Marx and Kolbe hang up their boots. For PSDT their are a few heirs apparent in guys like Ruan Venter and Cam (I guess Ruan can do 4 but I'd rather see him at 7) who may even be better versions, but an oke like Marx will leave a dent.

Have to agree - he is irreplaceable

We are long overdue a new Eben or something close coming through

What’s really frustrating is that the two big physical school boy locks that have recently emerged have both been snapped up by French clubs

Travesty

That enforced break was a tonic.

There is no doubt that.Etzebeth is an all time great but what about Kolbe, the most talented, skilled and versatile player ever. He fits into any role with the greatest of ease, he is my greatest all time player.

It all depends on how far back you go. The likes of Danie Gerber, Frik du Preez, Hennie Muller, Boy Louw and Danie Craven should not be so quickly forgotten. All of those would be in my "all-time" list.

If we're limiting it to the modern era, my candidates would be Beast Mtawarira, Andre Venter, Bryan Habana, Cheslin Kolbe and Malcolm Marx. Guys like PSdT, Joost van der Westhuizen, Eben and Matfield not far behind.

My favourite player (note, not the greatest) remains Henry Honiball, with Sacha closing in.

Danie Gerber, Kolbe and Etzebeth are the clear ‘best in the world’ players we have had…perhaps Hennie Muller in 1949 and Dai Williams in 1938. When I saw Williams play at Newlands one couldn’t but be impressed with the power that went along with the pace.