Etzebeth not done yet: Boks’ enforcer still burning to wear No 4

THE bad news for the Springboks’ chief rivals is that Eben Etzebeth’s competitive fire burns brighter than ever ~ and he is determined to hang onto his iconic No 4 jersey for as long as possible.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

With the Rugby Championship just a month away, the towering lock has issued a timely warning: he feels fresh, fit, and hungry.

“I want to wear that No 4 jersey in the green and gold as many times as possible,’ the 133-Test veteran told Rapport. “The competitive spirit is still strong in me - I’m not giving up my place. I want to be in the team for as long as possible”

Most players of Etzebeth’s vintage would be tempted toward the pipe and slippers after a career’s worth of bruising battles, but the 33-year-old insists he’s far from done.

“Im not thinking about playing until a certain year - I’m just going to keep pushing. The key is staying fit and avoiding injury, because recovery is harder as you get older.

“The curtain falls for everyone. It came early for Steven Kitshoff, but that was due to injury - it could have happened when he was 24”