Bryan Habana on Springboks' Golden Era, Record-Breaking Etzebeth, and the Rugby Championship Review

With the Outgoing tour to Europe approaching. Former Springbok and pundit Bryan Habana gives his insights into the Springboks performances under head coach Rassie Erasmus and reviews The Rugby Championship.

Springboks in 2024

The Springboks have won The Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019, back when it was a single round prior to the world cup that year. Following on from the dominant run in form from the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

"Just looking at what this Springboks team as a collective done over the last 6 years under Rassie in charge, undoubtedly the best Springboks side we have ever seen. The manner in which they kicked on from the World Cup [2023], yes there was the disappointing loss to Ireland and Argentina. Nevertheless this side has broken records and done what no other Springbok team has done,” Habana told SportsBoom.com.

"Their success has put them on a pedestal and long may it continue, if you look at the way in  it has managed to bring South Africans together from all walks of life. If you look across Jo'burg {Johannesburg], Pretoria, Mbombela, Cape Town how the South African crowds have got behind this team is extremely special. It special to see this team achieve greatness."

Greatest Springbok Era?

The Springboks are the first team in history to win 4 World Cups and won back-to-back World Titles, which begged the question if this was the greatest Springbok era.

"The Springboks are in a great space, being able to win The Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019 but in the manner in which I think they doing it with the ever expanding thought processes in which they playing the game, the depth Rassie is creating...they are really in a good space."

"They will definitely be unhappy with the 2 losses this season, it was a year potentially they could have gone unbeaten. Those last minute losses would have hurt badly but it was an opportunity for Rassie to blood quite a few youngsters and get a taste of what it was like."

"Including the import of a Tony Brown who has added an extra element to our attack which has been really good to see and our most experience player Eben Etzebeth breaking records of becoming the most capped player of all time.”

“Pieter-Steph du Toit who is surely in the reckoning to be nominated for World [Rugby] Player of the Year. Siya [Kolisi], Cheslin {Kolbe], Damian de Allende and Handre Pollard if you look at those names and the manner in which they are playing it puts South Africa in a phenomenal space where we could show our most success between World Cups. Which has been q rarity since the game progressed in '96."

Eben Etzebeth

Eben Etzebeth became the most capped Springbok player of all time [128], surpassing the great Victor Matfield. Etzebeth who was the youngest to reach 50 and 100 caps for South Africa is still only 32 years old.

In the modern era we have seen many international players retiring well in their late 30's, question poised if Eben would reach 150 caps.

"I actually said this in a social media post a while back about 7 weeks ago. I said, in opinion he will probably be the first Springbok to play 150 caps test matches for South Africa and if we look at the way he played this past weekend [vs Argentina] at 32 years old, and think of the likes of a Duane Vermuelen, Victor Matfield and Deon Fourie who were around 38 years old when they played their final game for the Springboks"

"I reckon Eben is only getting better with age, his maturity, leadership and the manner in which he fully represents South Africa when he puts that jersey on over his head is something phenomenal to see. I was fortunate enough to be at the start of his career, be there for his 1st Test and 50th. 

Resurgence of Argentinian Rugby

Argentina have come a long way since their inclusion in The Rugby Championship where they have struggled to get over the line but since the last World Cup, they managed to reach the Semi-Finals and beat all 3 tier 1 southern hemisphere nations this season.

"They managed to get to the semi-final of last year’s World Cup, which means they are one of four best sides in the world. They have the likes of a Felipe Contepomi who has all the experience in playing in Europe and UK has come in with the players mindset that is really great.”

“If you look at the top coaches currently in the world, Rassie, Felipe, Razor [Scott] Robinson and Andy Farrell. All these coaches have played the game at the highest level and have transitioned in the coaching roles they find themselves in.”

“You got to give kudos to them and In Argentina, they are unfortunately in limbo outside of Argentina playing International rugby but the fact they have managed to structurally bring together a system that works when players come in from teams all over the world, it just goes to show the real phenomenal coaching element Felipe Contepomi possesses."