SPRINGBOK legend Eben Etzebeth has won everything on offer at international level, and has adjusted his sights to winning silverware with the Sharks.
The 33-year-old winner of two World Cup gold medals told The Times of London’s Ruck podcast that he is motivated to add club honours to what he has achieved with the Springboks.
The Sharks will put themselves in contention for the biggest club/provincial title of them all if they can beat Toulouse on Saturday in Durban (5.15pm kick-off), and back it up with a defeat of Bordeaux in France next week.
This is the toughest of tasks, because the aforementioned teams are currently No 1 and No 2 in the French Top 14 respectively.
“I don’t think I’ve been too successful at club level. I haven’t won that many trophies. I would love to be a bit more successful with the Sharks – whether that’s in Europe or the United Rugby Championship,” he said.
Etzebeth played for the Stormers, the Red Hurricanes (in Japan) and Toulon before joining a Sharks side that had a wonky start under John Plumtree, before recovering to win the Currie Cup and the Challenge Cup last season.
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But a man who has won two World Cups, defeated the British and British Lions, won the Freedom Cup (against New Zealand), and the Nelson Mandela Plate (against Australia) wants more at club level.
But if that is to happen, Etzebeth says South Africans must cotton on fast to the significance of the Champions Cup.
“The guys who’ve played up in Europe understand how big this competition is. It’s massive,” Etzebeth said.
“I do believe players that haven’t been abroad and who’ve always plied their trade in South Africa don’t yet understand the meaning and the value of this competition. No disrespect, but I also think the South African fans don’t realise the magnitude of this competition.
“It is, for me, by far the biggest club competition in the world. I’m sure over the years, the South African fans will start to understand how big it is, and how big it is to win it. If you win the Champions Cup, you get a star on your jersey. That is huge.”
Etzebeth said he understands the frustration many Europeans feel about the inclusion in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
“People have a right to their opinion and, no, I don’t get annoyed about the complaints about us,” he said frankly.
“I can even go as far as saying I understand why players in Europe might get annoyed, because obviously South Africa is not part of Europe, and we now give those teams a few extra hours of travel.
“But, for me, the game goes on. People need to adapt to new things, new ideas, and new competitions.
“So, if they complain, it doesn’t bother me. But for us as South Africans, it’s nice to be a part of it, and it will be great if a South African team can win it soon.”
Etzebeth added that South Africans must stop complaining about the travel, and be grateful that they are part of something special.
“We’re the new guys,” he said. “We have to adapt to what we’re given by whoever is in control.
“We can’t demand or point fingers. If we keep on complaining about the travel, then no South African team will ever win it. The first team who’s going to be the most adaptable will probably have a chance of winning it.”
Etzebeth added that while winning the Challenge Cup was a big step forward for the Sharks, “It is not where the big dogs hang out”.
The Sharks were shrouded in controversy when a second-string team were hammered by the Leicester Tigers in a Champions Cup.
That prompted Plumtree to say: “The players are not robots."
Etzebeth was diplomatic when asked for comment on the subject.
“Everyone’s asking for a global calendar. Hopefully, it can happen. That’s probably the only thing that makes sense,” he says.
“It’s difficult to be on a southern-hemisphere schedule for international matches and, on a club level, a northern-hemisphere schedule.
“We’ll never really get rest unless we get pulled from club games and have a proper rest for four or five weeks.” | Independent Media Sport