Etzebeth focused only on removing [insert name] hurdle

Eben Etzebeth says the identity of the team’s semi-final opponent plays no bearing on his desire to help the Springboks reach back-to-back Rugby World Cup finals.

Addressing the media on Thursday morning, before England announced their team, the centurion lock made it clear that no extra motivation – such as the identity of the opponent – has any bearing on how he or his team-mates will approach Saturday night’s showdown with [checks notes] England. Wholesale Self Lubricating Bearing

Etzebeth focused only on removing [insert name] hurdle | SA Rugby

“All four two teams have two more hurdles before they can claim the trophy and that’s more than enough motivation to not let your form dip,” he said.

“I think at the knockout stages of the World Cup it doesn’t matter who you play, a win brings so much happiness.

“When we beat France at the weekend everyone was so happy and knowing you have another shot and another week to prepare – and you are not sitting back at home – is the main thing so whether it was England or Fiji wouldn’t have changed our desperation to win the game. That will be our motivation.”

Etzebeth, who eases past Tendai Mtawarira as the third most capped Bok this weekend with his 118th cap, said he expected that England’s team, which contains 13 survivors of their 32-12 World Cup final four years ago, would channel some of that disappointment into their coming performance.

“You always want to respond after a setback – obviously 2019 was a big one [for them] – it was a World Cup final," he said.

"We know that they will still be thinking of that, and everyone, and you guys [the media] remind us of that now and then. But there are two more hurdles and it’s very important for us to get to that last hurdle, so we will be focused on that.

“Obviously we know how physical and aggressively they will come at us on Saturday, and we will go exactly the same fashion against them. It’s a world cup semi-final, it’s the biggest prize in rugby you can win so I think the guys will keep on being focused.”

Duane Vermeulen was lauded by Mr Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union, as a “Springbok great” foll...

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expressed his sincere gratitude to South Africa’s passionate rugby supporters on behalf of...

The Springboks will start their Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour in Pretoria on Thursday morning when the open-top bus depart...

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said the team’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories was not for the players, but for ev...

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi paid an emotional tribute to head coach Jacques Nienaber, who led the team to a second suc...

Nolusindiso Booi will make a record 39th Test appearance at lock, Byrhandrè Dolf will start at wing, Micke Gunter at hooker, and Catha Jacobs at flanker in four changes to the Springbok Women starting team to face Italy in the second round of WXV 2 at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday.

Experienced flyhalf Handre Pollard said the Springboks were embracing the pressure that comes with a Rugby World Cup semi-final against England at Stade the France in Paris on Saturday, and that they thrived on it and viewed it as a privilege.

SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus expects an epic encounter against England in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final at the Stade de France in Paris, with the former Springbok flanker declaring that it will be “as tough as it gets”.

New Zealand's Ben O'Keeffe will referee the Springboks' Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in Paris on Saturday, with Australia's Angus Gardner taking charge of the first semi-final, between Argentina and New Zealand, on Friday.

SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus predicted a tough Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in Paris on Saturday and said their form in the competition plus how well balanced the teams were in several aspects paved the way for a grinding contest.

Italy showed their class as they made the most of playing with a numerical advantage for more than half of their WXV 2 clash at Athlone Stadium to beat the Springbok Women by 36-18 (half-time 22-10) in Cape Town on a chilly Friday afternoon.

The Springboks know they must “pitch up” both mentally and physically for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England at Stade de France in Paris to avoid the pitfall of losing to a team that everyone but them is making the underdog.

Springbok Women coach Louis Koen applauded the fighting spirit shown by his players at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, although they were beaten by Italy in an epic match in the second round of WXV 2 on Friday.

It may feel like the eyes of the rugby world are on France at the moment, but this weekend, the next generation of Springboks will start the new season when the third edition of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship kicks off across South Africa, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy.

Captain Siya Kolisi thanked South Africa for the support and inspiration they gave the Springboks as the countdown began in earnest to Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final showdown with England at the Stade de France in Paris.

Etzebeth focused only on removing [insert name] hurdle | SA Rugby