Eben Etzebeth explains what happened between him and Bakkies Botha | Rugby Roots

RugbyPass and Jim Hamilton spoke to Springbok rugby legend and world cup winner Eben Etzebeth. One of the topics we discussed was the social media beef Bakkies Botha and himself had on social media after news emerged that Eben was leaving Toulon for the Sharks. #RugbyRoots
Full interview with Eben Etzebeth - • We travel to Toulon to...
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[@lebowski_dude]

Lol - they look like 2 normal guys strolling down the street.... until someone walks past 😂

[@mosesihemegbulem4061]

True big big guys

[@bertrandqualo8147]

Huge

[@pedrorivera8255]

That's exactly what I thought😃

[@bakoena82]

These guys are huge

[@Woke2Broke]

😂True

[@spitzndtruth1484]

Eben is definitely a force to be respected he has such a presence on field he is definitely a warrior

[@sophiaschrenk1511]

He should be Captain

[@indianjoe52]

Hard as nails

[@simonjames6426]

Definitely a South African that south Africans can be proud of..a warrior in his own right..from a kiwi brother

[@TheMarketSniper]

He loves his Kiwi Pals from Nonu.. and a number of others, he played with..

[@maelperron_guerra4946]

He racist prick who beats up people when he's drunk

[@locominyana8916]

​@@TheMarketSniperThe kiwi & Bokke banter while on the beers & relaxing is truly something to behold.

[@user-nh8re6ly1b]

What a legend Etzebeth is. He's my favourite player even though I'm English.

[@richardzungu2447]

I'm a police officer in RSA...I met Siya in durban 2021. I was standing with my 2 of my colleagues at the beach front. He approached us and spoke to us. Then he bought us hot chocolate and brownies. Very humble man.

[@dylanewan9735]

How many bribes have you accepted?

[@Super09]

I also met Siya at Grandwest Casino in Cape Town, his a good guy.

[@tvbant]

What a great guy. Incredibly humble.

[@gavinvarejes3842]

One of the greatest and most humble gents to grace the game. When Eben was 24, I told him that in my opinion, he’d be the most capped Springbok ever. I stand by that. Looking forward to welcoming our Legend back home, Toulon’s loss is The Sharks huge gain.

[@gavinvarejes3842]

@Edit name He is concluding his contract with Toulon now

[@markbrown-sb2zm]

yip Toulon are morons for chasing away all the incredible worlds best players,just cos they cant reign in their egos,oh well their loss.

[@gavinvarejes3842]

Touché

[@eisbeinGermany]

and last Saturday he became most capped player in 2023

[@RicksPhatPharm-vw2lb]

Not true, not yet Habana 124 caps and Matfield 127... Eben is on 113 caps and there was an article in thesouthafrican online giving the top 6 on the 8th of August as only 6 players have 100+ Boks caps

[@csdvideouk]

Absolute beast. South Africa knows how to produce monster locks and he’s right up there.

[@samuellp1146]

He cracks me up, every time he gets tangled and locks arms with an opponent he's laughing, but don't attack his teammate or he's comin' for you.

[@philmaguire3014]

If I could pick only one player to swap his allegiance and wear an Irish jersey, it would be Etzebeth. He's an indomitable warrior on the field, and he appears to be a complete gentleman off of it. For me, he epitomizes the best of rugby. What cracks me up is whenever things get physical and some lesser mortal decides to take him on, more often than not Eben has a smile on his face, as if he were channeling his inner John McEnroe -- Surely you can't be serious. He's the boss

[@gerhardtmuller7439]

he encapsulates rugby when he plays. outstanding player

[@Emschermann]

What a great person! Iam a Rugby Fan, since i saw this guy! I hope, i see him after his career in Hollywood😉!

[@sarugbyfan8134]

His game for Toulouse on Saturday was amazing

[@Evaese]

Basically, Bakkies couldn't be botha'd hanging out with Eben anymore... I'll let myself out.

[@goldenlion647]

Haha touche"

[@a-rod279]

Eben is a gentleman ,good for him ,keep 💪 big guy

[@MeanAzz_13]

Been a fav of mine when he first appeared on the scene for the Stormers. Brilliant player n a *beast* on the field. Best of luck for *RWC 23* From *NZL* 💪🏾🇳🇿

[@notyoureverydaycultist2579]

🇿🇦🇳🇿in the final💪

[@RicksPhatPharm-vw2lb]

NZ fans are hoping for France 🤣... I hope we face the old foe NZ too, a 95' rehash would put alot to bed!

[@MeanAzz_13]

@@RicksPhatPharm-vw2lb 100% bro billed as.. *CLASH OF THE TITANS!!* 🇿🇦🏆🏆🏆 🇳🇿🏆🏆🏆🏆2023 👈😂

[@JACKAL98]

@@RicksPhatPharm-vw2lb wrong! the majority of nz still rooting for all blacks. believe it

[@missbenjamin3610]

Bakkies Botha, what a legend!!! Love you Bakkies❤❤❤!!!

[@taffpatch1]

Vile dirty player .

[@Corr910]

Eben is 'n gentlemen. Ek het hom eenkeer in Checkers Bloubergstrand ontmoet. Hy was so rustig soos 'n oorlogskip op 'n plaasdam. Hy is 'n yster op en af die veld. Hy sou nooit sleg praat van ander kollegas nie - hy is te opgewasse om so iets te doen. Sterkte teen die Drake Eben. Groete Cor10

[@bartlfc480]

Sick. Can read everything you said. Groeten uit Nederland

[@kingsman3087]

gentleman muh typical

[@josephvanwyk2088]

They were mentor and apprentice. Now Eben is the mentor.

[@brianocallaghan7172]

cannot agree that Etzebeth is a dirty player.Hard,physical and totally unafraid of any confrontation he relishes the clash but i cannot recall his ever punching any other player.People will always carp about players they are envious of.this guy is a giant of the game and deserves the respect he receives even from the opposition.100 caps says it all!!

[@juanestadian8471]

nah eben is not a dirty player at all. hard but fair. even yesterday against france, he was trying to pull out of head contact which is why he only got the yellow.

[@johanisnotreal3918]

Handled well by Eben.

[@floydkingi4364]

Genuine Hard man of rugby, amazing player

[@stevenpage1932]

Great interview.

[@ottconsulting7]

Would definitely want this guy on my side. A true warrior.

[@marttubleg]

Please!!!....I want to see Eben fighting in The Rings of Power, House of Dragons or The Witcher!!! This man when he's done with rugby....must go non-stop to Hoollywood

[@bonjovi7120]

Bakkies was correct. Eben is too good a player to have put in those performances for Toulon

[@nadineviljoen5189]

Love Eben my favorite springbok

[@internal1000]

Good luck eben! You will rock with sharks!

[@leighmarsden623]

Number 1 second row in the world! Springbok Power ..

[@Deebemc]

He mentors Scottish McPhail Scholarship lads who make trip out to SA. Monster respect to the man. Big Jim and him have collided on the pitch but it’s obvious, they are very respectful of each other.

[@I_Cunt_Spell]

I live in Serbia and I have Afrikaner/Boer neighbour. I could listen to her talk all day cause I love South African (Afrikaner) accent.

[@otumoetaipat]

That's a new one!

[@I_Cunt_Spell]

@@otumoetaipat Jessica is from Durban and she is pretty amazing. She's a mom now.

[@sydneymartin6941]

REPLYING to I Cunt Spell Afrikaans is definitely a beautiful language Greetings from South Africa

[@germanik892]

This accent is somewhat similar to German

[@goldenlion647]

​@@otumoetaipat haha

[@Waywind420]

Eben, casually strolling along Jim, Casually strolling along Camera-man, tip toeing in reverse

[@nada-qt5eq]

Lol

[@Skyline5554]

Shit, Eben's not only one of the best at his sport, he's also really good looking.

[@goldenlion647]

As a guy i never noticed

[@marcda1016]

His arms are outrageous, I want to know what t shirt he is wearing

[@hardklik]

Een genoegen om deze strijder aan het werk te zien.

[@doug5853]

Big Jim looks like Skinny Jim next to Eben - scary!!

[@topxboy2359]

That may be because he’s retired 🤔

[@orlandodelgado1630]

Fiera en el campo.. fuera de el un caballero

[@jonathandrennan3323]

Big Jim is excellent at these

[@-Tidgy]

Eben's hair always looks like he just got up 😂 Not that I would tell him to his face, wouldn't want him angry with me.

[@goldenlion647]

True

[@maximl8820]

Legend!

[@williem1710]

Loved it when Etzebeth was held aloft by the Irish team in the World Cup. Irelands tour to South Africa in July should be good. 😊

[@winstonpetersen3110]

Respect you Eben.

[@mrbeeoutdoors3213]

"Yeh, so I was pretty angry, we spoke, we arranged a meet up, he beat me into the fetal position and now everything is fine..."

[@sydneytyeku5754]

Eben the greatest 😊

[@twmlloyd5257]

Great player, thought of him as a bit of thug not so long ago, but immense in this world cup , best in the world , respect from cymru

[@RogerBiwandu]

Bakkies starts his comments by saying that Eben is one if not the best 2nd row in the world, yet Eben choose to focus on the fact that Bakkies said that Eben doesn't play as good with Toulon than with RSA, I add that it's not really that he does not perform well with Toulon, it's just that he missed 3/4 of the season.

[@k.m.1993]

Two South African legends, but sorry I'm team Eben. On and off the field. Glad there are no hard feelings. But Botha please, you don't do that to a fellow bokke, for the sake of some foreign club? Anyway, I find Eben really honest, class and just much more talented.

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

When I was learning the game, the lock I most admired was Victor Matfield, for his technical skill. The lock I hated most was Bakkies Botha, for his disgusting cheap shots. Any man who head butts another from behind should be jumped in the parking lot. He should shut his big mouth

[@earlefrancis22]

I'm with you all the way. Well said!

[@carlosaguilar6589]

Look carefully at the Women in Awe when he walks past them 😂

[@nigel8484]

Just two freakish gents casually strolling down the streets, Nothing to worry about.

[@justinleroux3786]

I met him he picked me up

[@jancovanderwesthuizen8070]

never heard anyone butcher "Botha" like that

[@anzafouche4263]

You just got too love Eben,, true gentleman ❤❤

[@markskeggs9773]

On pitch he plays on edge off it a gentleman humble quite qualitys of a great player tough lad

[@smuook1969]

The contrast of the normal humans walking by him at about his chest height is incredible.

[@buderimosteopath641]

Eban is a monster on the pitch but seems a great chap off it, I'd enjoy a beer or two with him. \

[@edwardsmith-xu4ry]

Bokke bo en wp talent.Prooooviiiince.👍💪👌🤙

[@patrickchilds2987]

Wasn’t this spat with Bakkies taken out of proportion? I get that Eben would be pissed off at the criticism being done so publicly My understanding is that Bakkies said that Ebens best performances were for the Springbok and not for his club. He wasn’t suggesting Eben was a bad player but there is an element of truth there. Whilst Eben spent most of his last year at Toulon in France injured, and isn’t his fault, you can understand how disappointing the absence of at the time one of the highest paid players in France would have been to his club and fans. I think he played around 8 or nine games that season and I don’t recall him playing those games badly but perhaps not to the same level of as form as he did for the Springbok an ultimately he left by mutual consent with the club . I’m guessing Bakkies was expressing perhaps what other ex Toulon players were thinking, players leaving like that are bound to arose comment rightly or wrongly. I think Eben was unfortunate how his last season at Toulon worked out but in hindsight judging by his form perhaps it was for the bast.

[@BosvarkDelta]

Bakkies and Ebyn my 2 favourite players

[@edwardsmith-xu4ry]

Eben is my boiy i dnk care what no 1 says or thinks he is a exlnt player me and my dads favoirite.A force to b reckoned with he grew up infront of my family.Alletta and my cousins.

[@MrDarknesstolight]

The guy interviewing him is a big guy

[@davidvanstaden]

And the frenchies enjoying their brekkies goes like "look at this giant!"

[@acpgiga]

I like them (Bakkies and Eben) both, but Ebens tweet was epic ...

[@tonyclifton2230]

It would be great if james lowe came in picked up and ran off with eben.

[@sakabula2357]

Eben...se hello vir Pappa

[@goldenlion647]

Good intetview

[@Waywind420]

Eben is definitely a stronger enforcer than Bakkies was, but Bakkies was an annoying menace on the field.

[@etienneholmes5556]

Bakkies was 10 times the play Eben wish to be or could be. Even in a straight up fight of the pitch my money is on Bakkie all day long.

[@tawerapetera9327]

@@etienneholmes5556 Eben ain't scared of nobody

[@etienneholmes5556]

@@tawerapetera9327 well that is something nice to put on his tombstone after Bakkies Botha is done with him. The hardest man to ever sit foot on a rugby pitch is Bakkies Botha. Even makes Buck look soft and that saying alot.

[@tawerapetera9327]

@@etienneholmes5556 Bakkies mainly bullied the small players and backed down when players fought back.. Eben took on players his size and never backed down when they fought back, he was keen to fight SBW.. a pro boxer.

[@collllllll]

@@tawerapetera9327 who did Eben take on that's his size?

[@OnlyTrustTheGovernment]

This guy doesn't stand down for anyone... no fear

[@goldenlion647]

I think with his strength and height he shouldn't have a problem.

[@jusele-ox9rc]

An animal as a good second rower should be.👍🍺

[@jean-pierreauroy2661]

Eben The Bulldozer

[@merlin5420]

That would’ve been a scary locking combo 😬

[@hannesbotha115]

Bang dat Bakkies sy clit klap dat hy stories in sy ore hoor

[@MKRM27]

Scary? Why? Because you don’t like tall guys staring at you?

[@sphehzungu3541]

@@MKRM27😂😂😂😂😂

[@taumusara3953]

My guy

[@RRSmurf]

Why do I see a bit of Leonard Nimoy in Etsebeth 😂... Can't just be me!

[@izizovitch]

People in Toulon looks like hobbits when those two are walking around

[@babycharliebrown]

He makes big Jim look skinny.

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Let it go.

[@cripptoe3064]

Eben always sporting the DC bat man hood.

[@SistorCarrera]

long live the Koenig x

[@DavidT1985]

Two giants....

[@thewatcher4718]

gentle giant until he crosses that white line.warrior time then.

[@gavinvarejes3842]

I also believe that Bakkies’ comment was taken out of context. Journalism that is unnecessary, unkind and sensationalist.

[@eisbeinGermany]

not my favourite player but very hard player,

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer what bit early. One game

[@MimieThalie]

Je préfère très largement Bakkies, qui n'est peut-être pas aussi bon qu'Eben, quoique ça se discute. Si je ne conteste pas au second son immense talent, et que j'aime son agressivité, je ne supporte pas ses provocations. Ça ne passe pas ça en France.. J'exècre d'autres joueurs Français pour les mêmes raisons... C'est à la limite de l'anti jeu et ça n'est pas acceptable... Il n'en demeure pas moins , qu'il est effrayant et qu'il pourrait bien nous faire très mal... Un des joueurs, que je crains le plus pour la CDM...

[@SistorCarrera]

this guy would get wipped by Bakkies Botha ia thhe man

[@casperswanepoel4301]

The 2 of you made the passersby look like dwarfs!

[@stephaniedeklerk5754]

Sjoe mooi was nog nooit leilik nie! He's so gorgeous!!!!

[@spiced32]

Disrespectful from Baccies, he was in a much better team and Eben has had serious injuries tbf to him

[@hannesbotha115]

Jou tottie

[@spiced32]

@@hannesbotha115 aye yer maa

[@MKRM27]

Wasn’t at all disrespectful

[@jpowell2603]

2 grubs that's all folks!

[@foolishsuckas]

state of his hair

[@Jamesp1972]

He's a bit like John Eales crossed with Schwarzenegger

[@mosesmanaka8109]

Eben Elizabeth.

[@DRM1891]

As rock solid as Bakkies obviously was, I genuinely think that Prime Eben V Prime Bakkies, Eben would have him for breakfast.

[@thegeop5906]

Look at those arms!!! 😳

[@psychogunz9141]

They know what SA rugby is about. Let them be. Why are you complaining?

[@Marfi645]

G.J.M. Oi...

[@nvader88]

They should have given him time to fix his bed head before this interview.

[@johanterblans8266]

0:18 She can't believe a man can be this size!

[@sydneytyeku5754]

Looking friendly until u piece him off

[@julianalderson3938]

Sorry thought sa side.

[@peterhughes8699]

I know what hapenned without having to watch this video.........after a series of cheap shots on each other in games they had a pub fight. Then later they kissed and made up calling the other a "Bok Legend".... only for the cheap shots to continue at next opportunity :)

[@etienneholmes5556]

Dis "MR" of " OOM" Bakkies Botha vir jou laaitjie.....

[@MKRM27]

Is your keyboard broken?