FIT AND RARING TO GO
Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth has given himself the all-clear after a frustrating time at the Sharks with injury to give his all for the Springboks ahead of the upcoming international season.
Etzebeth missed more than four months of action, on top of Springbok resting periods, as the Sharks often had to do without him with an ankle injury and concussion problems throughout the season.
But now the most capped Bok is back with a big smile on his face, and ready for action as the Boks start their preparations for the international season in earnest.
And Etzebeth has given himself the all-clear, and has a positive outlook on the time to come in the Green and Gold.
“I’ve recovered from everything, that’s all in the past,” he said with a smile. “Obviously, didn't have such a good run at the Sharks with injury, concussion. It kept me out for about four, four and a half months, which wasn't ideal.
“But, yeah, I recovered. I got a few games for the Sharks at the back end of the season. And then just suffered a small setback in training just before the semifinal. That was just a minor one. I’m fully back in training. I'm very excited for the Springbok season ahead.”
MENTAL CHALLENGE
Perhaps for Etzebeth the biggest challenge has been the mental one, being away from the field and the game he loved, and realising how sudden things can change. But his family has become his focus and that changed his mental outlook.
“ Yeah, I think you can look at it in two ways. Either negative or positive. I try to look at things in life in a positive manner. And for me, obviously, it's not ideal that I don't play as much rugby for the Sharks as I wanted to this season. But at the end of the day, your body's resting up a bit.
“We play week in, week out. The guys that are not injured, you get bruised up, you get battered. And then you only really recover on a Tuesday after a game. I'm a bit fresher. Obviously, the body is feeling good. You get time off for the family.
“But it's not like you just go away and do nothing. You do rehab. You work on a shoulder that's been niggling you in the past. You get that up to speed, back to full strength. Your whole body can recover nicely. You can get your whole body strong again when you play again.
“So, yes, it's negative that I'm not playing. I'm not on the field. Not maybe that sharp. But there's lots of other positives like family time. Getting your body strong again. And hopefully that niggles won't bother you in the coming months.”
BOK JERSEY STILL A MOTIVATION
Having won everything there is to win in rugby, Etzebeth still counts pulling on the Green and Gold as the ultimate motivation.
“For me, it's putting on the jersey one more time. I think that's the ultimate goal. That's my ultimate drive in rugby. I think the day the Bok jersey is not there anymore, I can't play for it, it will be a very sad day for me personally.
“So that motivates me. When I'm injured, when I have setbacks, to come back thinking that I might have an opportunity to represent South Africa. Playing full stadiums in Africa, there's no feeling in the world.
“To run out at a full Loftus or Cape Town Stadium or wherever in South Africa, that's the ultimate feeling, the ultimate drive. It's amazing to go out there in front of 50 000 people, they're all cheering for the Boks, they're all wanting us to unite the country. You don't need much more motivation than that.”
Etzebeth added that Steven Kitshoff’s premature retirement was a reminder to enjoy the time while you are on the field, and to make the most of it.
“I’ll use Steven Kitshoff as an example.Not that I want to, but if something can happen in a split second, it can happens. Your next game is something you appreciate, because you never know when your last game is.
“That's why every game is so special because you never know when your it will stop.”
A THIRD WORLD CUP TITLE?
For now he just wants to stay part of this special group that has won two World Cups, and maybe add a third in a few years time to that list.
“To be part of Rassie’s group, that’s it. It's a little bit different from when they arrived in 2018. It's special, but I think they want to make it even more special. To take the group even higher.
“And I would like to be a part of that. Yes, there will be another World Cup in a couple of years. It will be incredible, but we all know how difficult it will be.
“I think everyone who has always wanted it, will come for it. We know that we are not the only team with a chance and teams learn fast. That means we won't be able to do what we did last year.
“We will have to get better, we will have to be stronger. Because if you just stay the same, you won't stay at the top. I think that's our challenge. It's also a challenge for me to be a part of the group that keeps getting better and keeps trying to stay No 1.”