Etzebeth: Ireland a great test for world champs Boks

Etzebeth: Ireland a great test for world champs Boks

Springboks stalwart Eben Etzebeth believes there is no better test for the world champions than this weekend's encounter against world number-one ranked Test side Ireland.

South Africa will kick off their end-of-year European tour at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening (19:30 SA time) and Etzebeth feels this will be an ideal test of where the Boks are ahead of their attempt to defend their World Cup title in France next year.

œThey have a good pack of forwards, and we saw against New Zealand that they have a strong maul and scrum. In fact, they won quite a few scrum penalties in that series, and adding to that they are very clinical at the breakdowns. So, they are a well-rounded team, said Etzebeth.

œThey banked a series win against the All Blacks in New Zealand earlier in the year and they are currently ranked as the No. 1 team in the world, so this will be a great test for us.

œThe fact that we are facing them in the Rugby World Cup next year will also spice up the clash, but for us as a team that will be a different challenge on its own. We have a long tour ahead, and this is only the first match, and that is how we are approaching it as a team.

South Africa and Ireland are pitted together in Pool B, along with Scotland, Tonga and Romania, at the 2023 Rugby World Cup scheduled for 8 September to 28 October next year.

By Web Admin