Speaking in Nelspruit ahead of the Test against Georgia, the 33-year-old lock made it clear he’s still motivated to perform at the highest level.
“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.”
While he acknowledges he’s in the second half of his career, Etzebeth says retirement is far from his mind.
“I’m 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 [prop] Steven Kitshoff, but that was due to injury – it could have happened when he was 24.”
Etzebeth, who debuted for the Boks in 2012, has been a towering presence in the team’s resurgence over the past decade. And while he now mentors younger players, he says it’s their progress that keeps him sharp.
“Every year the younger guys are just bigger, better and faster. Players like Salmaan Moerat and Ruan Nortje are already world class. They push me to improve – and that’s the way it should be.”
