Springboks star Eben Etzebeth was rocking a shocking haircut following raucous Rugby World Cup celebrations. Who’s responsible for the locks?
Eben Etzebeth, the star of the Springboks, was sporting an unexpected haircut after wild Rugby World Cup festivities. Who is in charge of the locks?
ETZEBETH EXPLAINS TERRIBLE BUZZCUT
Eben Etzebeth arrived at the World Rugby Awards event with a less-than-ideal trim. Apparently, teammate RG Snyman was responsible after what must have been at least a few beers. It was probably worth it though.
“Um, ja you can look how my hair looks thanks to RG Snyman at 5 O’Clock this morning, so thanks for that.”
ETZEBETH IS THE ONLY SPRINGBOKS STAR IN THE WORLD RUGBY DREAM TEAM
Ardie Savea defeated Eben Etzebeth to win the major award of the evening, World Player of the Year, in the individual categories. Manie Libbok lost to fellow All Black and South African-born Mark Tele’a for the Breakthrough Player of the Year award. Although coach Jacques Nienaber was one of the nominees for World Rugby Coach of the Year, Ireland’s Andy Farrell won the honor instead of him. But the real prize is this: the Boks have won.
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‘It’s brutal’: All Black Aaron Smith’s farewell match spiked by Springboks in World Cup final
If Aaron Smith had swept back the curtains to peer out the window at the All Blacks’ hotel in Paris, only to see the rain pelting down, he may have quickly tugged them shut again and returned to bed.
The morning following the All Blacks’ 12-11 defeat to the Springboks in the World Cup final, a grey sheet of low cloud and streets shining with dew may have added to Smith’s bad mood. He saw people swerving around puddles and shaking water from umbrellas in the Saint-Cloud suburb.
Smith’s career with the All Blacks ended in a devastating way with the gut-wrenching loss at Stade de France. It was his second World Cup final, but this time, unlike in 2015 when he was part of the team that defeated the Wallabies in London, the All Blacks would not be wearing gold necklaces to commemorate their victory.
After playing in his 125th and last test match at the Stade de France, the halfback will now play for Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
Smith has found rugby to be a fantastic source of support. Despite a few off-field incidents involving controversy, he received a lot in return. He was eager to celebrate his final party with his friends and snapped pictures of them drinking beer from the Webb Ellis Cup.
Instead, as they sipped their own drinks in an attempt to dull the emotional pain, they had to listen to the sound of the triumphant Springboks parading the trophy.
After finishing school in Feilding, in the lower North Island, Smith gave hairdressing a go, but it was rugby that allowed him to put his clippers and scissors away in a cupboard at the top.
In 2010, he was a member of the Blues’ extended training group, but Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph was the one who really launched his career.
The choice Smith made in 2011 to relocate to Dunedin was a life-altering one. Smith was an All Black the next year.
In addition to competing in three World Cups, the 34-year-old earned a bronze medal in Japan four years prior to the London and Paris gold and silver medals.
The All Blacks’ hopes of defeating the Boks were ultimately cruelled when captain and openside flanker Sam Cane was red carded in the 27th minute of the final for a high tackle on Jesse Kriel. However, Smith stated they still thought they could overcome the odds.
Smith said, “We didn’t pass away in the dark.” “I believe that despite our best efforts, South Africa, the champions, held strong and forced turnovers in those crucial moments.
“They were perfect in those small moments. That’s rugby in a test match, and it can be brutal at times. Being a part of the game was incredible, and I was pleased with our performance this evening.
Smith had a try disallowed in the second half because No 8 Ardie Savea had knocked the ball on in a lineout, but when the All Blacks received a penalty from a Springboks infringement, they posted a legitimate five-pointer when Beauden Barrett scored.
If Richie Mo’unga had succeeded with a wide conversion attempt, the All Blacks would have taken the lead for the first time. Instead the Springboks, having later watched Jordie Barrett push a long-range penalty wide of the left-hand upright, held on to become the first team to win four World Cups.
Errors were expensive, and seasoned Beauden Barrett—the rock on which head coach Ian Foster had constructed his backline and leadership team—would later come to regret a number of them.
With less than ten minutes remaining, wing Cheslin Kolbe received a yellow card, which evened the score, but the Springboks’ hapless defense helped them shut down their opponent.
“We always have plans regarding how our game changes based on the guy who gets carded and whether we receive cards,” Smith continued.
“Having some agreement on that and our strategy for playing and trying to attack from scrums at halftime was beneficial. We had chances and persevered despite having one less person advance, but we were unable to cross the finish line once more.
