Eben Etzebeth aims to carry on playing after surpassing Victor Matfield as South Africa's most capped player

Lock was instrumental as Springboks beat Argentina to clinch a first Rugby Championship in five years

Argentina's Tomas Lavanini tackles South Africa's Eben Etzebeth during the Rugby Championship match at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on September 28, 2024. AFP

Eben Etzebeth said he wants to carry on playing after eclipsing the great Victor Matfield as South Africa's all-time caps record-holder and helping the Springboks win a first Rugby Championship since 2019.

Lock Etzebeth, 32, became the most capped Springbok in his 128th Test on Saturday as South Africa dominated Argentina 48-7 at Mbombela Stadium in the Mpumalanga province to claim a first title in five years ahead of New Zealand.

in a typical Etzebeth performance, the forward played all 80-odd minutes, carried seven times, made 10 tackles – second only to fellow lock Ruan Nortje – caught a couple of throw-ins and conceded a penalty.

After receiving a special tasseled cap to mark his milestone from Matfield, with whom he went to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Etzebeth said: "The milestone wouldn't have been nice if we'd lost this game. The team really showed up.

“The guys wanted to make it special for me, but it will always be a team sport, and the trophy was the big thing, and we'll celebrate it very nicely tonight. It was an unbelievable performance from everyone.”

Etzebeth debuted in mid-2012 against England at age 20. He was the fastest Bok to 50 Tests and the youngest Bok to 100. The Bok enforcer doesn't turn 33 for another month. He appeared in all six Rugby Championship rounds as South Africa won five of their matches to finish eight points ahead of the All Blacks.

"I've made no secret that the reason I play this game is to play for this team; to perform for my [Sharks] club and to be selected for the national side – that's the ultimate," said the two-time World Cup winner.

“So I'll keep pushing, training hard and performing for my club and hopefully the coaches will keep on selecting me. I never like to share my goals with the public – I like to keep it close to my heart – and I'll still push on, and if the body's good I'll continue to go.”

That was sweet news to Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, with whom Etzebeth goes way back and played alongside as the Springboks won the last two World Cups.

“We have been together since we were 18 and you've been a true friend and you have led us in so many ways the way you play the game,” Kolisi said.

“I am so proud of you and pleased to be your friend. I can't wait to tell my grandkids I played with Eben Etzebeth. Cheers, my friend, I love you.”