I've been learning rugby this year as an American college student and was told I'd be playing Lock. The first thing I found when looking at the best locks in the world was Eben Etzebeth and he is everything I wish to be on the field.
The man is exceptional, Keep the below in mind. Without a covid year he would be approx 110 caps. If he recovers and is able to play through the World Cup and we go well, he may become the most capped springbok of all time or close to the most capped. He played in the same era as Matfield, Botha, Mostert, PSDT, RG, Lood earning those caps. The same era we exported people like Paul Willemse, Jean Kleyn, Quin Roux. That’s an insane group and a huge amount of caps to win with that many exceptional players.
Another great video thanks. Just shows how imense Eben actually is. Most lineout steals, even against Itoje who is nominated. Even man-handled Retallic there. No doubt no. 1 in the world and there is no expert that would choose a world XV and not include Eben at 4.
He is by far the best player in the world right now... he is not just brute force but he knows the rules of the game inside and out (much-like Am). He is an all-round brilliant player, definitely robbed of player of the year title.
Agreed, and even if Itoje had a good game or two this season, Eben has been more consistent throughout this year and basically played a 7-9 rating each and every game he played. And when Itoje and Eben matched up in the final game Eben was all over him in the lineouts like white is on rice. No ways does any lock come close to Eben this year.
@@werieawesome8530 im not so sure mate. Dupont won everything with Toulouse, named man of the match several times. And I do not even mention what he did with the national team.. Eben has been very good as well I reckon, but you cannot say Dupont was not incredible this year.
Yeah man he's excellent. Despite you guys not having the best year, Ardie Savea is another guy that HAS to be in every world XV. Man is a great carrier, relentless tackler and a great inspirational type player because of his intensity and work rate.
He wasn’t nominated for world rugby player of the year because for some reason the IRB thinks physicality, running over people and defending like a trojan isn’t attractive rugby 🤷🏻♂️. Well only if you in a springbok jersey. If he was English or anything els maybe yes 👌🏼
Cheers for the awesome video and content, only what the legend deserves! I really enjoy your video's and wanted to request if it would be possible to make a Springboks big hits compilation video of 2021, since even in the games the Boks lost, the other teams felt some huge hits coming their way. Cheers boytjiies!
I am extremely glad that he was cleared of the langebaan incident. That must have rested heavily on his mind, especially because he is a player of integrity. It is therefore good to see that he has regained his confidence and is playing his best rugby.
I am telling you that someone wanted to smear his name so that he could be dropped from the squad. He is clearly a thorn in the flesh of any apposing team.
At least one of Eben and our centres definitely should have been nominated. Especially when Itoje and Kerevi, who play in their positions were nominated. I feel like World Rugby has just disregarded the Lions series because they lost.
Yeah I agree, it makes no sense at all. The biggest series of the year, but the best players from that series were simply ignored! But can we be surprised by World Rugby at this point.
This guy gives exactly what you want from a second row, he puts insane pressure on the enemy team, he wins every impact and as he runs straight the ruck is very easy to secure by his partners. Finally, he knows how to take advantage of his size as well
Great video, i just want to point this out as a piece of advice that you can choose to listen to: So like next time you do like an analysis video on bad ref calls i think to avoid more negative comments is by not like acting crazy at the ref (if you know what i mean), i saw your video about NZ and SA and i saw that you didn't start insulting the ref compared to other analysis videos like England and SA saying things like "Andre Brace hates South African teams". So like in short maybe try not to insult the ref in your videos and just say things like "bad call by ref", "not a great call" instead of things like "THIS REF IS STUPID HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED" etc. Anyways thank you for these videos, i learn a lot from you and i hope you continue to make more videos, (also have a happy year soon) B)
One just has to look at Eben and our 7s team and see that Workd Rugby did not nominate either for any awards this year to clearly know there is prejudice against anything South African. The question is, is there anything that can be done about it? Rassie was silenced, Rennie was not, refs screwed up constantly without punishment and there is clear bias against SA from Workd Rugby, how can we as fans fix this?
@@GrizzlyAdams101 Not one SA ref selected for the upcoming Rugby Championship. NZ refs to officiate SA games vs Aus and Aus refs to officiate SA games against NZ. Nothing fishy here at all.
World Rugby player of the year! Oops wait a minute he's a Bok so can't be considered. If he wore any other Jersey it would be a formality. Shoe me one country that can replace a Bakkies or a Victor with an Eben! Doesn't exist. #Worldrugbysemoer
What world rugby CHOSE to miss as a panel of one sides thugs for England, we as the viewers see the reality. They need to get new management. The stupid rules they brought onto this great physical game is killing it and it has become a credit card game. Some decisions prevent good players to become great players.
WTF totally overwrite the crowd and game atmosphere of a SA player against mostly European teams -with frickin American gangster rap music? How many rugby fans want to listen to that grinding macho crap??
Tadhg Furlong has been the best player in rugby for years and this is coming from a back. Ask any team or country would they have him in there first 15.
Tall international player catches lots of high balls, charges some kicks down, and makes some tackles. It's good. But it isn't world player of the year good.
And what exactly did itoje do to get there please highlight... if you go on tries scored then mainly backs will be allowed to be player of the year. Not a well considered comment
I've been learning rugby this year as an American college student and was told I'd be playing Lock. The first thing I found when looking at the best locks in the world was Eben Etzebeth and he is everything I wish to be on the field.
Yeah buddy!!
Do your homework on the breakdown/ruck area. Easiest way to be the mvp of your team especially in smaller leagues.
And I respect the hell out of you for playing rugby in an NFL dominated country.
Dam straight
@@mr.e6748 I agree. I am also a South African living in the USA and have major respect for the once who tries to learn the game.
The man is exceptional, Keep the below in mind.
Without a covid year he would be approx 110 caps. If he recovers and is able to play through the World Cup and we go well, he may become the most capped springbok of all time or close to the most capped.
He played in the same era as Matfield, Botha, Mostert, PSDT, RG, Lood earning those caps. The same era we exported people like Paul Willemse, Jean Kleyn, Quin Roux. That’s an insane group and a huge amount of caps to win with that many exceptional players.
Another great video thanks. Just shows how imense Eben actually is. Most lineout steals, even against Itoje who is nominated. Even man-handled Retallic there. No doubt no. 1 in the world and there is no expert that would choose a world XV and not include Eben at 4.
He is by far the best player in the world right now... he is not just brute force but he knows the rules of the game inside and out (much-like Am). He is an all-round brilliant player, definitely robbed of player of the year title.
Clearly world rugby and their cronies would do anything in their power to oust him from international rugby.
@@camdennauschutz7641We don't win awards, we win cups!
4:17 the reason why Eben wasn’t considered for any award… he dared to straighten AWJ’s collar (the Golden Boy of world rugby)
He also gave Itoje and few others free Chiropractic treatment and some people could even make insurance claims for whiplash and work related injuries
WR bring on your strong men we have got Eben, Malcom. Dwayne and the list goes on and on. We will see you in 2023
Know idea what that is.
Always puting the extra effort in, great runing lines and of course sheer toughness, every team wish they had a Eben. Nice vid
Freak of nature. Fit and strong. Does the basics well. Always breaks line on offense. Ferocious defender and primed to be top 5 Bokke of all time
He should have been player of the year no doubt..... and there is no way on earth that Itjoe is even a third of the player Eben aas this year
Agreed, and even if Itoje had a good game or two this season, Eben has been more consistent throughout this year and basically played a 7-9 rating each and every game he played. And when Itoje and Eben matched up in the final game Eben was all over him in the lineouts like white is on rice. No ways does any lock come close to Eben this year.
Agreed!!! Wordrugby is a joke
Dupont has been insane this year.
@@Dotax59 eben had a better year
@@werieawesome8530 im not so sure mate. Dupont won everything with Toulouse, named man of the match several times. And I do not even mention what he did with the national team.. Eben has been very good as well I reckon, but you cannot say Dupont was not incredible this year.
Even though I’m an ABs supporter, he’s my first pick in a world XV
Yeah man he's excellent. Despite you guys not having the best year, Ardie Savea is another guy that HAS to be in every world XV. Man is a great carrier, relentless tackler and a great inspirational type player because of his intensity and work rate.
1:30 another disallowed try that should’ve been a try. Thanks World Rugby
Be careful of character assassination😂
World Rugby can't handle the truth.
You a gonna be banned for 10 months for speaking about the holy ones mate 😂
The force, power and Mentality of this guy man❤
He makes Itoje look like a ragdoll Ôo.
Itoje has got nothing on Eben. He must still go learn what Eben forgot already. Go Bokke Go Eben.
Itoje wouldn't even be in the lock reserves in sa.... eben , RG , Lood, franco .... itoje wouldn't even be good enough to warm the bench ....
Best forward in the world at the moment.
Hopefully he has a speedy recovery, at least he's able to rest now. The big guy has earned it!
@@tasanalytics Yeah, he is gonna tear wales up even more when he gets back
Ysterbeth
Never seen a more hard working lock. And then he is extremely talented as well. He really has everything you want in that position and more.
Eben is just the biggest animal in a pack filled with beasts
workrate + passion = The springbok way
The most impressive part of Eben's performance this year is his discipline! Didn't think I would ever say that a few years back!
He wasn’t nominated for world rugby player of the year because for some reason the IRB thinks physicality, running over people and defending like a trojan isn’t attractive rugby 🤷🏻♂️. Well only if you in a springbok jersey. If he was English or anything els maybe yes 👌🏼
Cheers for the awesome video and content, only what the legend deserves! I really enjoy your video's and wanted to request if it would be possible to make a Springboks big hits compilation video of 2021, since even in the games the Boks lost, the other teams felt some huge hits coming their way. Cheers boytjiies!
Great video mate, siya kolisi highlights next one?
I am extremely glad that he was cleared of the langebaan incident. That must have rested heavily on his mind, especially because he is a player of integrity. It is therefore good to see that he has regained his confidence and is playing his best rugby.
I am telling you that someone wanted to smear his name so that he could be dropped from the squad. He is clearly a thorn in the flesh of any apposing team.
@@anwarfaardiel5214 what is the langebaan incident y'all talking about
At least one of Eben and our centres definitely should have been nominated. Especially when Itoje and Kerevi, who play in their positions were nominated. I feel like World Rugby has just disregarded the Lions series because they lost.
Yeah I agree, it makes no sense at all. The biggest series of the year, but the best players from that series were simply ignored! But can we be surprised by World Rugby at this point.
Worldrugbysegat
Nominations are a f***g joke What sane person would pick Itoje ahead of Eben.. there are boys and then men
Agree with you 100%. Pure pissed off.
This guy gives exactly what you want from a second row, he puts insane pressure on the enemy team, he wins every impact and as he runs straight the ruck is very easy to secure by his partners. Finally, he knows how to take advantage of his size as well
Great video, i just want to point this out as a piece of advice that you can choose to listen to:
So like next time you do like an analysis video on bad ref calls i think to avoid more negative comments is by not like acting crazy at the ref (if you know what i mean), i saw your video about NZ and SA and i saw that you didn't start insulting the ref compared to other analysis videos like England and SA saying things like "Andre Brace hates South African teams". So like in short maybe try not to insult the ref in your videos and just say things like "bad call by ref", "not a great call" instead of things like "THIS REF IS STUPID HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED" etc. Anyways thank you for these videos, i learn a lot from you and i hope you continue to make more videos, (also have a happy year soon) B)
You are completely right man
Agreed! Best rugby player on the planet this year. Well done South Africa
To think that he never got the chance to be possible player of the year is so sad.
After the last few games I like Eben even more! He has been a freakin' work horse!
This is our Player of the Year.
იბენ ბრწყინვალე, იბენ დაუმორჩილებელი
And they chose Itoje ahead of them , thx WORLD RUGBY BOX TICKING AT ITS BEST.
Lame music for this type of video, but awesome plays in the compilation though. Etzebeth is a beast
What a season for the big man by far the best player on the pitch this year
One just has to look at Eben and our 7s team and see that Workd Rugby did not nominate either for any awards this year to clearly know there is prejudice against anything South African. The question is, is there anything that can be done about it? Rassie was silenced, Rennie was not, refs screwed up constantly without punishment and there is clear bias against SA from Workd Rugby, how can we as fans fix this?
New World Rugby Association?
Prejudice against South Africans? Grow up mate, that ship sailed many decades ago.
@@GrizzlyAdams101 Not one SA ref selected for the upcoming Rugby Championship. NZ refs to officiate SA games vs Aus and Aus refs to officiate SA games against NZ. Nothing fishy here at all.
World Rugby player of the year! Oops wait a minute he's a Bok so can't be considered. If he wore any other Jersey it would be a formality. Shoe me one country that can replace a Bakkies or a Victor with an Eben! Doesn't exist. #Worldrugbysemoer
Not best lock/forward… World Best rugby player by a very big margin
Unanamously player of the year...by true rugby lore...not woke IRB.
Got nothing to do with woke - more like old boys club.
@@mikezog1030 Yeah man, more arrogance than anything else.
Best rugby player in the world hands down as of 2022
i had to watch this video on mute...you couldnt pick worse music?good video,KAK music
Superb player
Eben is a phenomenal athlete!!
so they started using him for up and unders, makes sense since he is a head taller than all the backline players
...and yet he has not even been nominated !
World Rugby with their open Destain for anything to do with the Springboks is nauseating !
Best in history he s killer alegend
This player deserves better music.
Eben isn't dirty Itoje is! 😠 I won't forget that knee on Damian's neck in the Lions series!
Bok Lives Matter!
@@Thundastruck01 Lmao😂
World Rugby extended Rassies ban after watching this
Best player ever. No doubt.
Warrior heart
BAD BOY
World player of the year
What world rugby CHOSE to miss as a panel of one sides thugs for England, we as the viewers see the reality. They need to get new management. The stupid rules they brought onto this great physical game is killing it and it has become a credit card game. Some decisions prevent good players to become great players.
POTY nominees
Etzebeth
Kolisi
Am
DDA
Tidy Player!
He was not nominated because he wears a Bok jersey
Pity about the music.
poor Itoje......lmao....
A box kick is so stupid.........there is a 90% chance of loosing possession.
Great player great gentleman but not best player in the world this year
World rugby is a joke..they want Europe to win a world cup and that is there stance...Pichot should have been there remember
WTF totally overwrite the crowd and game atmosphere of a SA player against mostly European teams -with frickin American gangster rap music? How many rugby fans want to listen to that grinding macho crap??
Tadhg Furlong has been the best player in rugby for years and this is coming from a back. Ask any team or country would they have him in there first 15.
Best prop maybe but no one is the best in world for years man.
He really enjoys being a thug
Crap music
Tall international player catches lots of high balls, charges some kicks down, and makes some tackles. It's good. But it isn't world player of the year good.
Depending on which side of world rugby you stand.
And what exactly did itoje do to get there please highlight... if you go on tries scored then mainly backs will be allowed to be player of the year. Not a well considered comment
I missed the part, where that's my problem...