2024 South Africa vs Argentina

How Tall Is Eben Etzebeth? Here Are Some Facts About The Springboks Legend

How Tall Is Eben Etzebeth? Here Are Some Facts About The Springboks Legend

Eben Etzebeth is set to break the South Africa Rugby caps record Sept. 28 against Argentina in the final of The Rugby Championship. Here are some facts.

Sep 27, 2024 by Joe Harrington
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Eben Etzebeth is set become the most experienced player in the long, storied history of South Africa Rugby on Sept. 28 when, at just 32, he sets the record for most caps in Springboks history.

Etzebeth is in the starting lineup in The Rugby Championship finale in Mbombela, South Africa, against Argentina. It shouldn’t be surprised that he is setting the record, as Etzebeth is one of the greatest players of his generation. 

Etzebeth has helped South Africa win two Rugby World Cups since 2012 when he made his national team debut before his Currie Cup debut. 

The lock is known for his immense size, combined with his athletic prowess, to become one of the best players in the world, and he's building his case as one of the greatest Springboks of all-time.

Here are some facts to know about Etzebeth:

How Tall Is Eben Etzebeth In Feet?

Etzebeth is hard to miss. He is just under 6-foot-9 and weighs 258 pounds. In other words, he’s 2.04 meters tall and 117kg. 

Imagine Lebron James, but eight pounds more of muscle, and you have Etzebeth. 


How Many South African Caps Will Eben Etzebeth Finish With?

Philip Bendon of FloRugby called Etzebeth's 128 caps an incredible achievement. But the number Etzebeth could finish with would be even more eye-popping. 

"He will end up with more than 150 caps, which is wild," Bendon said. "Given his position and how physical he is!"

At 32, Etzebeth could even play in yet another Rugby World Cup in 2027. 

Where Does Eben Etzebeth Play Professionally?

When he’s not with the Springboks, Etzebeth has played for the Hollywoodbets Sharks of Durban, South Africa, since 2022. 

He played with Toulon of the Top 14 from 2019-2022. Before that, he played for his hometown club, the DHL Stormers, in Cape Town. 

Etzebeth also played in the Japan League One with the NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes from 2015-2016. 

Eben Etzebeth Is One Of The Best Lineout Players In The World

Despite his immense size, he actually does get picked up. And surprise, he’s really good at it. 

Etzebeth is considered one of the best lineout jumpers in the world. When you’re already as tall as most professional basketball players, and you’re being lifted in the air, it’s hard not to be. 


Eben Etzebeth Helped The Hollywoodbets Sharks Make History

In 2021, four professional South African teams joined the United Rugby Championship and thus became eligible to play in the two major European Professional Club Rugby tournaments, the Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup. 

In May, Etzebeth helped the Sharks make history by becoming the first South African club to win a European Championship when they beat Gloucester in the EPCR Challenge Cup Final in London. 


Eben Etzebeth Contract

In 2022, Etzebeth signed a five-year contract with the Sharks that will keep him there through the 2027 season. 

“Attracting a player of Etzebeth’s caliber underlines the importance the Sharks place on building a winning squad, which is aligned to the vision of being the biggest franchise in world rugby,” said The Sharks CEO Dr Ed Coetzee in a press release. 

The Eben Etzebeth And Siya Kolisi Friendship

One of Etzebeth’s closest friends is fellow Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, which was a big selling point to joining the Sharks when he signed in 2022. 

Kolisi left the Sharks for the 2023-2024 season, going to Racing 92, but he returned to the club this season. 

In 2022, Etzebeth said: “... Siya [Kolisi] is there, and we’ve been friends since were in the provincial Under 19s together, and now we will get to play for the Sharks together.”


Where Does Eben Etzebeth Rank In The FloRugby Top 100?

Earlier this summer ahead of the summer international season, FloRugby released its list of the 100 best players in the world. 

Etzebeth was ranked at No. 5. 

How To Watch South Africa Springboks Vs. Argentina Rugby

The Rugby Championship will be streaming in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

That includes games from Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Match replays, highlights and more will be on both platforms. 

South Africa Springboks Lineup

  1. Ox Nche
  2. Bongi Mbonambi
  3. Frans Malherbe
  4. Eben Etzebeth
  5. Ruan Nortje
  6. Siya Kolisi
  7. Pieter-Steph du Toit
  8. Jasper Wiese
  9. Jaden Hendrikse
  10. Manie Libbok
  11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
  12. Damian de Allende
  13. Jesse Kriel
  14. Cheslin Kolbe
  15. Aphelele Fassi

Substitutes: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Elrigh Louw, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Handre Pollard, 23. Lukhanyo Am.

Argentina Los Pumas Lineup

  1. Thomas Gallo
  2. Julian Montoya
  3. Joel Sclavi
  4. Pedro Rubiolo
  5. Tomas Lavanini
  6. Juan Martin Gonzalez
  7. Santiago Grondona
  8. Joaquin Oviedo
  9. Gonzalo Garcia
  10. Tomas Albornoz
  11. Mateo Carreras
  12. Santiago Chocobares
  13. Matias Moroni
  14. Rodrigo Isgro
  15. Santiago Carreras

Substitutes: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Ignacio Calles, 18. Pedro Delgado, 19. Franco Molina, 20. Pablo Matera, 21. Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22. Lucio Cinti, 23. Juan Cruz Mallia.

South Africa Vs. Argentina Rugby Kickoff Time

The match kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela, South Africa.

South Africa World Rugby Ranking

 The Springboks are ranked No. 2 in the world with 91.77 points.

Argentina World Rugby Ranking

Argentina is ranked No. 6 in the world with 84.30 points.

South Africa Rugby Schedule 2024

Argentina Rugby Schedule 2024

World Rugby Rankings 2024

  1. Ireland, 92.12
  2. South Africa, 91.77
  3. New Zealand, 88.70
  4. France, 86.96
  5. England, 85.40
  6. Argentina, 84.30
  7. Scotland, 82.82
  8. Italy, 78.98
  9. Fiji, 79.64
  10. Australia, 79.32
  11. Wales, 76.04
  12. Georgia, 74.10
  13. Samoa, 72.68
  14. Japan, 73.31
  15. Portugal, 70.61
  16. Tonga, 68.12
  17. Uruguay, 67.39
  18. Spain, 66.29
  19. USA, 67.70
  20. Romania, 62.62

The Rugby Championship 2024 Fixtures

August 10

August 17

August 31

September 7

September 21

September 28

Where To Watch Rugby Internationals 2024?

In the USA, FloRugby will broadcast some of the best international rugby fixtures of 2024.

South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and England will play matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

How To Watch The Rugby Championship 2024?

The Rugby Championship will be streaming in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

Match replays, highlights and more will be on both platforms. 

How To Watch Rugby Matches In the United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social