Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has pointed out what he believes was a critical error by Ireland in underestimating the All Blacks during last year’s World Cup.
The Springboks are gearing up for a two-Test series against Ireland in July, which is expected to have added fervor following some candid comments from South Africa’s Etzebeth.
In a recent episode of The Rugby Pod with Jim Hamilton, Etzebeth reflected on the World Cup and shared some surprising interactions with the Irish players.
Following a tough pool stage defeat to Ireland, Etzebeth noted that many of the Irish players seemed overly confident about advancing to the final. However, Ireland was eventually eliminated by the All Blacks in the quarter-finals.
“After the match, you shake hands, and probably 12 out of the 23 said to me, ‘See you in the final’,” recounted Etzebeth. “Considering the draw, we were set to play France, and they were lined up against New Zealand.
“I immediately thought, ‘Are they really overlooking the All Blacks in a World Cup quarter-final?’
“Their comment about seeing us in the final seemed like a huge mistake, given they were about to face perhaps the most dominant team in the past two to three decades of Test rugby. We would never be so presumptuous, knowing we had to face the host nation and really show up to defeat France at home.
“It seemed like their confidence was excessive when facing the formidable All Blacks in a World Cup quarter-final.
“I think Frans Malherbe was with me when I mentioned, ‘These guys might be a bit too confident’,” added Etzebeth. “Confidence is good, but arrogance in this sport can be costly.
“You could be having the best season and then a single missed tackle can lead to defeat. That’s what makes rugby so unpredictable and challenging; no one stays on top forever.”
Etzebeth also expressed his support for Siya Kolisi to continue as the Springbok captain for the busy 2024 Test season.
“Regardless of who the captain is, our processes will largely remain the same,” Etzebeth remarked, as quoted by Rugby365. “With Siya as captain, he’s the one discussing lineouts with the referee or assessing our physicality and work rate during team talks.
“I expect that to continue… Siya is still playing strong rugby in France, and I think he’ll always be a vital part of the team. I would be happy for him to remain as captain, though ultimately, that decision lies with the coaches.”
