Eben Etzebeth heaps praise on Rassie Erasmus' incredible team-bonding skills

Erasmus has heavily rotated his squad again in 2025, using a total of 47 players, 45 of whom were deployed in Test matches, after using 50 players last year.

Etzebeth predicts that trend will continue next month when South Africa embark on their end-of-year tour with matches against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.

The most capped Bok of all-time explains that while the players all have different reasons why they play rugby, they all have a common goal of making South Africa proud, with Erasmus managing the players brilliantly to ensure that the squad remains happy.

"Rassie deserves a lot of credit for the way he keeps the team together and engaged. How everyone gets the a chance to play and everyone knows they'll get an opportunity on tour whether it's against Japan, France, Italy or Wales," Etzebeth was quoted as saying at the launch of his autobiography Unlocked, at the N1 shopping centre in Goodwood last week by Rapport.

"The way Rassie and his coaching team keeps the team's psyche together is incredible."

With so many of the players coming from different upbringings, Etzebeth adds that while there are differing driving factors, there is a common goal among all of them.

"Every individual has their own personal drive, whether it be getting to 100 Test caps, or to provide for their family. We all come from different backgrounds," he said.

"But we all know what's going on at home when we're overseas, how people support us. People make videos, watch rugby on the streets, and in the malls because they don't have DStv.

With so many of the players coming from different upbringings, Etzebeth adds that while there are differing driving factors, there is a common goal among all of them.

"Every individual has their own personal drive, whether it be getting to 100 Test caps, or to provide for their family. We all come from different backgrounds," he said.

"But we all know what's going on at home when we're overseas, how people support us. People make videos, watch rugby on the streets, and in the malls because they don't have DStv.

"It's support that others don't get in their countries, rugby is almost like another religion in South Africa, and when we don't do well, people are angry with us, and we want it that way too."

This year, there has been more cheer than jeer for the Springbok fans with Erasmus' charges winning seven of their nine matches, defending the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate, Argentina Cup, Freedom Cup and claimed back-to-back Rugby Championship titles for the first time ever.

That run included a record 43-10 hammering of the All Blacks as South Africa handed their fiercest rivals their biggest ever defeat.