Why Eben Etzebeth Was Left Out Of The Springbok Squad To Face The All Blacks

When Rassie Erasmus named his Springbok team earlier this week, rugby fans were quick to notice one big missing name: Eben Etzebeth. The double World Cup winner, usually a mainstay in the engine room, has been rotated out of the starting lineup for the Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Depth In The Lock Department

According to assistant coach Duane Vermeulen, Etzebeth’s absence is less about form and more about balance. South Africa has arguably never had such depth at lock. Alongside Etzebeth, there’s Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert, with Pieter-Steph du Toit also capable of covering the role. With that much firepower, Erasmus has the luxury of mixing combinations.

For this clash, Nortje and De Jager will form the starting second row, with Snyman providing impact from the bench. Vermeulen was quick to point out that Nortje proved his worth last season when injuries opened the door, while De Jager remains one of the most reliable lineout operators in the game.

Protecting A Key Player

Etzebeth is renowned for his physicality and warrior-like approach, but even the hardest men in rugby need a breather. Vermeulen admitted that part of the thinking was to ensure the 33-year-old’s longevity in a calendar that barely allows players to recover.

“You can’t play a guy like Eben every week because he’ll burn out,” Vermeulen explained. “We still want him to play for a few more years, so rotation is necessary.”

A Chance For Others To Step Up

For some fans, seeing a Bok side without Etzebeth feels strange. But as Vermeulen put it, this is also about testing the next generation. “It may seem weird to have two No. 5 locks in the pack, but both know their roles. It’s a chance to see if they can perform without Eben on the field.”

The Springboks have often relied on Etzebeth’s presence to set the tone physically. Now, Erasmus is challenging his other locks to show they can meet the All Blacks head-on without their enforcer.

Public Reaction

On social media, supporters were split. Some welcomed the decision, saying Etzebeth deserves a rest after years of heavy lifting. Others worried about facing the All Blacks without the Bok talisman. One fan summed it up best on X (formerly Twitter): “Resting Eben is smart, but I’ll still miss seeing him smash black jerseys in the first five minutes.”

The Bigger Picture

With the Rugby Championship still in play and the 2027 World Cup cycle underway, Erasmus is thinking long-term. The Springboks know that to remain dominant, they need to spread game time and develop combinations beyond their trusted stalwarts.

Etzebeth may be sitting out this weekend, but he remains central to South Africa’s plans. In fact, giving him a break might be the smartest way to keep him at his best when it matters most.

Source: SABC Sport

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