Scotland captain makes quivering Etzebeth immediately leave the field in terror
The Springboks thought they could turn up at Marseille and bully Scotland, but Jamie Ritchie and his team were having none of it at the Stade Velodrome.
Arch bully Eben Etzebeth thought he could throw his weight around in the first half and Scotland would wilt, but instead it was the lock that was charging down the tunnel in terror after encountering Ritchie.
After Damian de Allende needlessly starting throwing elbows and punches after being bundled into touch, Etzebeth came charging in in typical Bok fashion to push some of his opponents around. Instead he found the Scotland captain squaring up to him and not bowing down. Immediately, the entire rugby world could see the terror in the South African enforcer’s eyes as Ritchie presumably bellowed some indecipherable Scottish abuse in his face. Picture a kitten or a puppy running away in terror, and you’ve got the scene.
Within minutes of this fracas occurring, Etzebeth was leaving the field with what looked like a leg injury. But Rugby Onslaught sources have confirmed that Etzebeth was heard screaming down the medic’s mic “Get me off! Get me off!” to Jacques Nienaber, who kindly granted his wishes.
Take a look at the fight:
Pierre Schoeman trying to save Jamie Richie’s life from Eben Etzebeth.#RWC2023 | #RSAvSCO pic.twitter.com/qtpaSmgt3R
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) September 10, 2023
South Africa were leading the contest in their World Cup opener 6-0 when Etzebeth left the field, but that lead was halved before half time courtesy of a Finn Russell penalty. The only trouble for Scotland was that Etzebeth was replaced by RG Snyman, who is just as big and just as aggressive. Then again, one look into the eyes of Ritchie and Snyman may be charging down the tunnel in absolute terror as well.
If Etzebeth’s injury is genuine, then that is an enormous blow for South Africa, as he is arguably their most important player. With Ireland waiting towards the end of the pool stages, the Boks will not want to be without their lock.
