Eben Etzebeth facts for kids
Etzebeth playing for South Africa in 2022
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| Date of birth | 29 October 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 2.04 m (6 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 119 kg (262 lb; 18 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hoërskool Tygerberg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Anlia van Rensburg
(m. 2023) |
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| Children | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Professional rugby player | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eben Etzebeth (born 29 October 1991) is a famous South African professional rugby union player. He plays for the Sharks team in the United Rugby Championship. He also plays for the South Africa national rugby team, known as the Springboks.
Eben first played for the Springboks in 2012. He has played in 131 international matches, making him the Springboks' most experienced player. He usually plays as a lock, which is a key position in the scrum.
Contents
Eben's Rugby Journey
Playing for Western Province and Stormers
Eben Etzebeth started playing rugby in the youth teams of Western Province in 2009. In 2011, he helped the UCT Ikey Tigers win the Varsity Cup. However, an injury stopped him from playing in the Currie Cup that year.
Despite his injury, he was chosen for the Stormers team for the 2012 Super Rugby season. He got better in time and played his first game on 25 February 2012. He played 13 games that season, scoring one try. The Stormers won many matches but lost in the semi-finals.
Later in 2012, he joined Western Province for the end of the Currie Cup. He helped them win their first Currie Cup title since 2002. He was even named the Man of the Match in the final game.
In 2013, an injury kept him out of the first part of the 2013 Super Rugby season. But he returned to play 8 matches and scored another try. He was very good at winning the ball in lineouts. He also played in the final three matches of the Currie Cup that year.
In 2014, a foot injury kept him from playing for a while. But he stayed loyal to his Cape Town teams. In April 2013, he signed a contract to stay with Western Province and the Stormers until 2016.
Playing in Japan and France
In July 2015, Eben signed a deal to play for NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka in Japan's Top League.
In December 2018, the French team Toulon announced that Eben would join them after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He even played as a flanker for the first time in January 2021.
Joining the Sharks
In February 2022, the Sharks (rugby union) team signed Eben Etzebeth to a long-term contract until 2027. On 24 May 2024, Eben was the captain when the Sharks won the Challenge Cup final against Gloucester Rugby. This was a big moment because they became the first South African team to win a major European rugby trophy.
International Rugby Career
South Africa Under 20s
Eben Etzebeth was part of the South Africa Under 20 team in 2011. They played in the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship in Italy and finished in 5th place.
Playing for the Springboks
Eben was first called up to the Springbok squad in June 2012. He made his first appearance on 9 June 2012, helping South Africa win 22–17 against England. Even with some injuries, Eben has been a top choice for the Springboks. By the end of 2014, he had played 29 games for his country. He even played for South Africa before playing any Vodacom Cup or Currie Cup rugby for Western Province.
In 2013, he was nominated for the 2013 IRB Player of the Year award. In 2018, Eben was known for his incredible strength, being able to lift very heavy weights.
Eben was chosen for the Springboks' team for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He played in every pool match, including the surprising loss to Japan. He also played in the quarter-final win against Wales and the close semi-final loss to New Zealand. On 30 October 2015, Eben played in the Bronze Final against Argentina. He scored a try and helped South Africa win third place in the competition.
In 2016, Eben played his 50th test match for South Africa against Australia. He was the youngest South African player ever to reach this milestone at just 24 years old.
After leading the Springboks to a win against France in 2017, Eben was named captain for the 2017 Rugby Championship. He played a huge role that year, playing every minute of many important matches. He had one of his best performances in a very close game against New Zealand in Cape Town.
Eben was part of South Africa's team for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. South Africa went on to win the tournament, beating England in the final.
On 16 July 2022, Eben Etzebeth played his 100th game for South Africa. He became only the 7th Springbok to reach this amazing milestone.
On 28 September 2024, Eben played his 128th game for South Africa against Argentina. This made him the most experienced Springbok player ever, passing Victor Matfield. South Africa won the match and secured the 2024 Rugby Championship.
Eben is sometimes called "the undertaker" by fans. He is also known for his strong and fair play on the field.
Eben's Achievements
Western Province
- Won the 2012 Currie Cup
Sharks
- Won the European Challenge Cup in 2023–24
South Africa
- Won the 2019 Rugby Championship
- Won the 2019 Rugby World Cup
- Won the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa series
- Won the 2023 Rugby World Cup
- Won the 2024 Rugby Championship
Personal Life
Eben Etzebeth married actress and singer Anlia van Rensburg on 4 February 2023. Their first child was born in January 2024. Anlia sang the South African national anthem when Eben played his 100th test match.
See also
In Spanish: Eben Etzebeth para niños
