For Eben Etzebeth, there are rugby matches and then there are All Blacks matches.
The veteran Springbok lock has experienced the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’s full emotional spectrum, from World Cup glory to bruising defeats, yet believes the four-Test showdown against New Zealand has become one of the most demanding challenges the sport can offer.
“I think every Test match against the All Blacks is special,” Etzebeth said ahead of Saturday’s decider in Baltimore.
“Every Test match you put the green and gold jersey on is special and every time we play the All Blacks we know the rivalry and what it means to them as well as to us.”
The Springboks arrive in the United States with the series poised for its final punch after three consecutive Tests. For Etzebeth, the novelty of such a schedule has not softened its brutality.
“It is the ultimate test for any rugby player to play against them and to do it four weekends in a row,” he said.
“It’s been tough, it’s been some bruising battles, but yeah, I think that’s what we all want to do and yeah, we love every second of it.”
Etzebeth: “It’s a special series and we want to win it” https://t.co/eeN8mdKPOe
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Etzebeth went further, arguing that winning this series could demand more sustained excellence than lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
“I think, challenge-wise, this is surely the toughest in rugby: to play New Zealand four times in a row and try to win the series,” he said.
“So, my answer to the question is, it’s not as special as a World Cup win, but it is still harder than a World Cup to win because you play against New Zealand, which, over the years, have been the number-one or number-two team in the world for a long time.”
The 33-year-old’s own return has added another layer to the story. After suspension, injuries and concussion disrupted much of his season, he described his comeback as a relief.
“It was a bit frustrating, obviously not getting a lot of rugby under my belt. It was nice to be back. It was nice to play the first Test against Argentina again and get a full 80.”
Watching from the sidelines during the England Test was particularly difficult.
“It was tough to watch the guys from the side obviously in the mix for that England game and then had to withdraw in the week. But yeah, great to be back.”
His time away also provided an opportunity for refinement.
“Every year you try to be a better version of yourself and you try to add to your skill set. I think the time off gave me that opportunity as well. So yeah, I just trained hard and tried to get back into the mix.”
Etzebeth believes the Boks’ response after losing the opening Test reflects a battle-tested culture forged through previous pressure-cooker campaigns.
“When you don’t have a good game, they’ll tell us,” he said of the coaching staff. “Also the players, I think every time we don’t start well, we pull together.”
He pointed to the British & Irish Lions series and World Cups as evidence.
“We’ve been in this situation before and yeah, it happened again and we said after the first Test match that we can’t lose another game. So the pressure was on.”
Now Baltimore presents a different stage for the oldest rivalry in rugby.
With the 2031 World Cup looming in the United States, Etzebeth sees the match as more than another chapter in a storied rivalry.
“It’s my first time in America,” he said. “And obviously with the World Cup coming up in 2031, they’re definitely trying to grow it in America.”
“This Test match is definitely a good start, us against the All Blacks here in Baltimore.”
For American newcomers, Etzebeth believes there is no better introduction.
“The best way to sell it is to have them come to the stadium and enjoy the experience and see us play, the first and second-best team in the world.”
For rugby’s ageing warrior, the stakes are enormous. The body may be battered, the schedule bordering on rugby lunacy, but the appetite remains fierce.
“It’s a massive privilege,” Etzebeth said.
And when the All Blacks come knocking, the Springboks intend to answer the door.
