Over the weekend, the Springboks celebrated a remarkable victory, clinching the title of 2024 Rugby Champions by defeating Argentina with an impressive score of 48-7 in Mbombela.
This victory capped off an exceptional tournament for the Boks, who managed to secure five wins out of their six matches, with their only setback being against the Pumas in Santiago just a week earlier.
Eben Etzebeth Makes History
Amidst this glorious win, Eben Etzebeth has been making headlines for another monumental achievement: he is now South Africa’s most-capped rugby player.
Etzebeth surpassed the previous record of 127 tests held by Victor Matfield, a milestone that took him 12 years to reach.
His journey with the Springboks began back in 2012 when he received his first call-up.
He made his debut on June 9 at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, pairing with fellow newcomer Juandre Kruger in the second row.
Social Media Buzz and Celebrations
Following the final whistle, social media exploded with congratulatory messages for Eben Etzebeth.
Fans and fellow athletes flocked to Instagram to share their admiration for his remarkable achievement.
In a heartfelt tribute during a post-match interview, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi also acknowledged Etzebeth’s accomplishment, quoting a bible verse to mark the occasion.
He shared a series of photos with his teammate, tagging Etzebeth and captioning it with a verse from Romans: “Romans 8:37: ‘No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’”
Siya Kolisi’s Emotional Tribute
In his post-match interview, Kolisi expressed deep appreciation for his friend and teammate.
“I want to say, to my best friend, my eerste beste pel, Eben Etzebeth, yster, my brother, I am so grateful that I have walked this journey with you,” he said.
With pride, he added, “I’m so proud of you. I’m so grateful to be your friend. I can’t wait to tell my kids I played with Eben Ysterbeth. Cheers, my brother; I love you.”
Team Spirit and Support
The celebration didn’t stop with Kolisi; several other Springboks also took to social media to honor Etzebeth’s achievement, sharing heartfelt messages and scriptures.
Speedster Cheslin Kolbe shared an emotional post that resonated with many fans.
He included a touching caption alongside photos with the new record-holder, quoting Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Elizabedii living LEGEND on and off the field mybra. 128 not out.”
This victory not only highlights the Springboks’ incredible talent but also showcases the strong bonds of friendship and camaraderie within the team.
What an inspiring moment for South African rugby!
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