Springbok Etzebeth diverts attention from looming caps record

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has downplayed being set to equal the record for the most capped Springbok in a potential title-deciding Rugby Championship match against Argentina on Saturday.

A win for the visiting team in northern city Santiago del Estero will make the four-time World Cup title-holders southern hemisphere champions for only the second time in 12 attempts.

Etzebeth, a 32-year-old who debuted for the Springboks in 2012, has been named among the eight replacements and will equal the 127-cap record of Victor Matfield if he plays off the bench.

But the forward was reluctant to talk about his impending achievement as the Springboks prepared to take on Los Pumas, the only team who can overtake them in the standings with two rounds left.

"I would prefer to discuss the record when it occurs. I am uncomfortable talking about issues before they happen," said Etzebeth.

"Were I to equal the record of the great Victor Matfield this weekend, then overtake it when we play Argentina again next weekend in Mbombela, it will be fantastic.

"I understand that back home now there is a lot about me in the various media, so it is difficult to completely ignore the looming record.

"However, I am committed to keeping my feet firmly on the ground and concentrating on the task at hand, which is defeating the Pumas and winning the Rugby Championship.

"We are about to face opponents who scored 67 points in their last outing (against Australia) so it is all about hard work and thorough preparations.

🙌 Victor Matfield couldn't be happier that Eben Etzebeth will be equalling his all-time appearance record this weekend. #ARGvRSA #RugbyChampionship

READ: https://t.co/QGwaS84OVq pic.twitter.com/HXlF8Jbw0n

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 18, 2024

'GREAT LEVELLER'

"Rugby is a great leveller. The minute you think that a record makes you special, the legs can be kicked out from under you."

South Africa have accumulated 18 points – eight more than Argentina – from two victories each over Australia and defending champions New Zealand.

This means the Springboks need three points to be certain of first place , and have two opportunities to succeed the All Blacks as champions as they host the Pumas on September 28.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus admits that it will take a "massive effort" to win in Argentina, who are cock-a-hoop after the nine-try rout of the Wallabies in Sante Fe two weekends ago.

South Africa have rested seven of the team that started an 18-12 win over New Zealand the same day and scrum-half Grant Williams later withdrew injured.

In other changes, Etzebeth drops to the bench and Siya Kolisi, who has delayed surgery on a fractured nose and travelled to South America, will watch the match from the coaches' box.

Dismissing reports that Kolisi had suddenly become a coach, Erasmus said "Siya does not know what actually goes on in the box during a test".

"He is joining us in order to understand how we make decisions and send messages to the field. It will give him an understanding of how the process works."

Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has made three changes to the side that started against Australia, and trailed by 17 points during the first half before staging a stunning comeback.

Locks Franco Molina and Pedro Rubiolo replace Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini and No 8 Joaquin Oviedo starts with Juan Martin Gonzalez dropping to the bench.

"This is going to be a great match. We had magnificent support against Australia and I am sure it will be the same against the world champions," said Contepomi.