South African Rugby Star Etzebeth Accuses Ireland Players of ‘Arrogance’ Ahead of Upcoming Test Series
In a candid interview, South Africa’s double World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth has raised eyebrows by describing Ireland’s players as ‘arrogant‘ following their encounter at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Etzebeth revealed that several Irish players had confidently told him they would meet his team in the tournament’s final, despite the fact that Ireland were yet to overcome the formidable challenge of the All Blacks in the quarter-finals.
“Obviously you shake the guys’ (Ireland’s) hands and probably 12 out of the 23 when I shook the hands told me ‘See you guys in the final’,” Etzebeth told The Rugby Pod. “I was just like, ‘These guys are seriously not even thinking about the All Blacks in the World Cup quarter-final and playing against them?'”
The Springboks were beaten 13-8 by Andy Farrell’s Ireland in their pool stage clash, but South Africa went on to lift the trophy for the second successive time, defeating France, England and New Zealand in the knockout rounds. Ireland, meanwhile, were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by the All Blacks.
Etzebeth was surprised by Ireland’s overconfidence, stating:
“It felt like they were just so, so confident saying things like that when you knew you had got the mighty All Blacks coming in a World Cup quarter-final.”
The towering lock added:
“It’s good to be confident but you can never be arrogant in this game because that’s the thing about rugby. You can have the best season and you can have one slip-up, or one missed tackle, and a guy puts you on your arse.”
Ireland had entered the 2023 World Cup in fine form, having beaten the All Blacks in a Test series the previous year and rising to the top of the world rankings. Their pool stage victory over the defending champions South Africa further cemented their status as potential global champions.
However, their quarter-final exit at the hands of New Zealand was a major disappointment, and Etzebeth’s comments will add extra spice to the upcoming summer Test series between the two rugby powerhouses.
With both sides eager to assert their dominance, the upcoming clashes promise to be hard-fought affairs as South Africa and Ireland battle for supremacy on the international stage.
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