Eben Etzebeth surpassed Victor Matfield as South Africa’s most capped Springbok of all time in 2024 on the same day the Springboks clinched their first Castle Lager Rugby Championship title since 2019, and by the end of 2025, he has stretched that record to 141 Tests in the green and gold. One of the most respected locks in the world, he epitomises the power and physicality of the Bok pack. Etzebeth, a two-time RWC winner, combines tight phase aggression with silky skills and superb lineout ability. He was the SA Men's Rugby Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023.