Ardie Savea makes World Cup power move by sending Eben Etzebeth flying off ball
Almost a year after South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth was caught on film rag-dolling All Blacks talisman Ardie Savea, the No8 has got some revenge.
In the first half at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, Etzebeth thought he had a chance to drive Savea off the ball and show some dominance.
It started quite well for the Bok, driving Savea back. Then the All Black got annoyed and threw his opponent off him in emphatic fashion. It is not very often that you see Etzebeth’s legs flailing in the air, but he was sent spinning around Savea’s body while being thrown to the ground, all while the No8 remained on his feet. The Bok captain was left holding only Savea’s leg, but got nowhere in trying to bring him to ground.
Take a look:
Enjoyed this little moment between Ardie Savea and Eben Etzebeth. Both players relishing the physical contest.#NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/WtynrKz0zH
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) July 15, 2023
All Blacks XV
1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Scott Barrett
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Sam Cane (c)
8. Ardie Savea
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Mark Telea
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Will Jordan
15. Beauden Barrett
Replacements
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Nepo Laulala
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Dalton Papali’i
21. Finlay Christie
22. Braydon Ennor
23. Caleb Clarke
Springboks XV
15 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 84 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 23 caps, 74pts (11t, 2c, 5p)
13 – Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks) – 32 caps, 30 pts (6t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 70 Tests, 45pts (9t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks) – 36 caps, 110pts (22t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 28 caps, 36 pts (2t, 4c, 4p, 2d)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 46 Tests, 41pts (5t, 2c, 4p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester) – 20 caps, 5pts (1t)
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 63 caps, 15pts (3t)
6 – Kwagga Smith (Blue Revs) – 31 caps, 20pts (4t)
5 – Lood de Jager (Panasonic Wild Knights) – 65 caps, 25pts (5t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 110 caps, 15pts (3t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 59 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 57 caps, 60 pts (12t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 72 caps, 10pts (2t)
Replacements
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 59 caps, 70pts (14t)
17 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 16 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 42 caps, 0 pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 24 caps, 5 pts (1t)
20 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 67 caps, 30 pts (6t)
21 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 66 caps, 15 pts (3t)
22 – Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks) – 2 caps, 0 pts
23 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 4 caps, 19 pts (8c, 1p)
