Springboks second-row Eben Etzebeth, known for his tough on-field persona with aggressive tackles and powerful runs, recently showcased a lighter side of his character in a playful moment with his teammate, scrum-half Grant Williams. Etzebeth, who typically doesn’t shy away from physical confrontations, has built a reputation for his no-nonsense approach to the game, especially after a notable altercation with Allan Alaalatoa. However, in a fun twist, Etzebeth posted a video from the changing room, humorously searching for “Baby Grant,” where he is seen holding a small pram as he shouts Williams’ name. The video, which had the caption “Somebody seen @grant9_williams?”, quickly became a hit, highlighting the camaraderie among the team.
Etzebeth and Williams play together for both the Sharks and the Springboks, and both were key figures in the successful Autumn Nations Series, which saw the Springboks maintain an undefeated record in their northern hemisphere tour. They are now preparing to bring that momentum into the Champions Cup, with the Sharks facing off against Exeter Chiefs.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, who made a strong return to action during the Sharks’ 21-15 victory over the Stormers, also joined in the fun at Etzebeth’s expense. After Etzebeth posted a picture of himself taking on waterboy duties during the match, Kolisi cheekily responded with a meme asking, “Why are you yelling at me?” on his Instagram. He also joked about the water provided by Etzebeth being too warm.
Etzebeth and Kolisi, two of South Africa’s rugby legends, have maintained a playful bond over the years, often teasing each other on social media. After Kolisi’s move to Racing 92, Etzebeth jokingly “disowned” him, making it clear that he didn’t want any comments from Kolisi unless they were related to their team, the Sharks. Kolisi responded with affection, but Etzebeth kept up the banter, posting a humorous caption about Kolisi’s new club, Racing 92, saying he hoped the “new guy” would get along with him, especially since Kolisi had a fondness for cars. The two have shared plenty of laughs while continuing their successful careers both together and in different leagues.