Eben Etzebeth: ‘The Irish media definitely targeted me’

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Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth says that he was targeted by the Irish media after his comments about the Ireland players being “arrogant” after their World Cup pool stage win over South Africa.

South Africa and Ireland are set to clash for the first time since that match, which the latter won 13-8, ultimately leading to Andy Farrell’s side finishing top of the pool.

The Boks would go on to clinch a successive Rugby World Cup title while Ireland bowed out of the tournament in the quarter-finals, falling to a defeat at the hands of the All Blacks.

“See you in the final”

However, it was comments made by Ireland players after the pool stage clash that irked the Springboks lock, who recounted the events during an appearance on the Rugby Pod.

“After the game, you shake the guys’ hands and probably 12 out of the 23 told me, ‘See you guys in the final’,” Etzebeth revealed back in May.

He added: “That remark that they made – ‘see you guys in the final’. I just thought these guys were making a big mistake to look past probably the most dominant team in the last 20 to 30 years of Test rugby. Surely, they can’t.

“It just felt like they were just so confident saying things like that when you know you got the mighty All Blacks coming up in a World Cup quarter-final.

“Obviously, it is good to be confident, but you can never be arrogant in this game.”

Etzebeth stands by his comments

Etzebeth’s comments certainly caused a stir in Ireland and has added fuel to what is already set to be a fiery encounter between the two sides.

Following his comments on the podcast, Etzebeth feels as though the Irish media have “targeted” him, with many criticising the exact number he provided.

Still, the 32-year-old remained resolute as he stood by what he said.

“Yeah, I would say the Irish media definitely targeted me after that incident,” Etzebeth said, referring to his podcast appearance.

“I said what I said.

“I see a lot of them said, ‘How could you count exactly to that certain amount?’ You obviously give an estimate. It was definitely at least six or seven and was not more than 20 of them. So, I just gave an estimate.

“We will never, after a game, tell a team that we’ll see you in the final if there is so much rugby still to be played.

“Maybe that was their way of saying that we are a good side and that we might make it all the way through, but people interpreted what I said wrong and took it out of context.”

Etzebeth will run out for his 121st Test cap on Saturday as he moves close to Bryan Habana’s record of 124 internationals for the Springboks – the second-highest tally for South Africa.