Eben Etzebeth

The don’t come any tougher – and more fearsome – than legendary Springbok second-rower Eben Etzebeth and his family. Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The Etzebeths: Fearsome both on – and off – the field – WATCH

The don’t come any tougher – and more fearsome – than legendary Springbok second-rower Eben Etzebeth and his family.

Eben Etzebeth

The don’t come any tougher – and more fearsome – than legendary Springbok second-rower Eben Etzebeth and his family. Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The don’t come any tougher – and more fearsome – than Springbok legend Eben Etzebeth.

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The second-rower will make his 109th appearance for South Africa off the bench against Italy in Genoa on Saturday, 19 November.

Kick-off is at 15:00 (SA time).

Eben Etzebeth comes from a family of rugby players – and wrestlers and bouncers.

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The late Paul Dobson, doyen of rugby in South Africa, recounts the following regarding the Etzebeth family:

In the 1970s and 1980s, Cliffie Etzebeth, uncle of Springbok Eben, was one of the great characters of Newlands. On the rugby field, he was aggressive but not at all a dirty player.

One of nine children, seven of whom were boys, Cliffie Etzebeth knew rough and tumble from an early age.

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He and his brothers became wrestlers, joining the Parow Wrestling Club.

Harry Etzebeth is Eben’s father

Cliffie and Skattie, the oldest brother whose first name was really Christoffel, became Springbok wrestlers.

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Cliffie’s younger brother, Harry, a wrestler and a cricket player, is the father of Eben.

Asked about his nephew, Cliffie said: “He’s a freak.”

Family circumstances being what they were, the brothers were required to work as soon as possible after leaving school, and Cliffie and Skattie found employment as bouncers in their off time.

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There are many stories of Cliffie, his escapades and, especially, his witty sayings.

Tragically, Cliffie Etzebeth died in a car accident on Sunday, 22 July, 2018.