Photo: Stefano Delfrate · CC BY-SA 2.0
Rugby
EbenEtzebeth
Eben Etzebeth has 142 Test caps and 40 points for South Africa; he plays for the Sharks as a lock after spells with Western Province and the Stormers.
International record
Test caps and points · Wikipedia infobox, 8 August 2026The story so far
Eben Etzebeth has 142 Test caps and 40 points for South Africa, a body of international work that marks a long, physically demanding career at lock. The forward plays for the Sharks, and his honours include South African Sportsman of the Year in 2024 and two player of the year awards from SA Rugby.
His route to that point ran from Western Province between 2011 and 2014, then the Stormers until 2019, before a French spell with RC Toulonnais. The Sharks have been his club since 2023, and he continues to represent South Africa in the forward pack. His position is lock, and the Test cap count reflects a lengthy international career. That durability explains why he is still central to the national side.
Good to know
Retirement is not part of the current picture, as the Sharks lock still plays club rugby in the United Rugby Championship and turns out for South Africa.
At club level the Sharks are his team, competing in the United Rugby Championship, while his international rugby is played for South Africa.
Cape Town is his birthplace, and his nationality is South African, with South Africa also the national side he represents.