Etzebeth tipped to walk with giants

LEGEND: HIGH PRAISE FROM HIS TEAM-MATES AS EBEN PREPARES TO SET BOK APPEARANCES RECORD

- Ross Roche

Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth will go down as one of the greatest players to yet put on the green and gold and will cement that legendary status when he runs on to make his 128th appearance in the deciding Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Mbombela this afternoon.

He will break Bok legend Victor Matfield's record of 127 caps and with the 32 year old still having a number of years left in his rugby career, he is expected to set a massive appearances record for future generations to chase.

Matfield has been glowing in his praise of Etzebeth and believes he can even reach the magical 150 international cap mark, which has only been breached by two other players.

Welsh legend Alun Wyn Jones sits on top with 171 caps (158 for Wales and 13 for the British & Irish Lions) and former All Blacks star Sam Whitelock played 153 Tests. Both of them, like Etzebeth and Matfield, are also locks.

"I don't think there is a better player to do that," said Matfield about Etzebeth breaking his record.

"I think Eben will probably go down as the best player to have worn the green and gold. He still has quite a few games in him.

I think he can go over 150 Test matches." Etzebeth was born in Cape Town where he attended Hoërskool Tygerberg and represented Western Province at a junior level, including Craven Week.