Bakkies Botha believes that Eben Etzebeth is the “best lock in the world” but the legendary Springbok enforcer is disappointed that his successor hasn’t lived up to his reputation while on duty at Toulon.
Etzebeth has been released from his contract in France a year early and will return to South Africa at the end of the season to take up a contract with the Sharks.
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Botha, arguably the most decorated player in the history of the game, had an illustrious career with Toulon winning the European Championship three times and a Top 14 title in 2014. Having set a high standard for World Cup winning Springbok locks in Europe, Botha has been critical of Etzebeth’s time at the club.
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“Eben Etzebeth? Incredible fighter, best second row in the world,” Botha told Midi Olympique. “But I regret that he only shows his best face with the Springboks. In Toulon, he is still a little injured, concussed and in the end, never plays.
“Obviously, he was not made for France and he will turn his back on the problems the club went through to return to South Africa.
“It’s disappointing. I love Eben, I repeat. But you can’t say when you arrive in Toulon: ‘I want to be champion of France’ and leave some time later without having marked the club in one way or another.
“His first season was not bad but it is not enough. When you recruit a world-class player, it’s for him to make a difference.”
Bakkies’ comments echo those of club president Bernard Lemaître who last month labelled Etzebeth a “handicap” owing to due his huge salary and the fact he has been unavailable for large parts of the rugby year either through injury or through Springbok duty.
Etzebeth returned from concussion after a three-month absence but reports indicate he is once again sidelined with a calf injury. Meanwhile Toulon, once the envy of Europe, are rooted near the bottom of the Top 14 table and face the prospect of relegation.
