South Africa legend Etzebeth stunned by Irish ‘confidence’ at World Cup
Ireland's Garry Ringrose and South Africa's Eben Etzebeth. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie
South Africa second row Eben Etzebeth says he was taken aback by the confidence of Ireland's players following the pool stage meeting between the two sides at last year's Rugby World Cup.
Ireland won the game 13-8 but the Springboks still went on to retain their world title with victory over New Zealand in the final.
Following the game against Ireland, Etzebeth told former Scotland player Jim Hamilton, "Mate, we'll get them back, if they make it, if they make it". Ireland failed to progress past the quarter-final stage, losing to the All Blacks 28-24.
"After the game, you shake the guys' hands, and 12 out of the 23, when I shook their hand, they told me 'See you guys in the final'," Etzebeth revealed on the Rugby Pod.
"My immediate thought was because the way it worked out, we were going to play France and they were going to play New Zealand [in the quarter-finals].
"My immediate thought was, 'Are these guys seriously not even thinking about the All Blacks in a World Cup quarter-final, playing against them?'
"That remark that they made, 'See you guys in the final'. I was just like, 'These guys are making a big mistake to look past probably the most dominant team in the last 20 - 30 years of test rugby'.
"We would never say that because we knew we'd have to play the host nation, pitch up to beat France in their backyard.
"It just felt like they were so confident saying things like that, 'See you in the final' when you know you've got the mighty All Blacks coming up in a World Cup quarter-final.
"Frans Malherbe was with me and I said, 'I don't know if these guys are riding a bit high'. Obviously, it's good to be confident but you can never be arrogant in this game.
"That's the thing about rugby, you can have the best season but can have one slip up or one mistake and the guy will put you on your arse. That's the beauty of this game, you're never on top forever."
Former Munster and Ireland back Felix Jones, now a member of England's coaching staff, was part of the South Africa backroom team at the World Cup.
Springbok prop Vincent Koch described Jones as "probably the most hard working young coach I've ever seen in my life".
"The hours that he puts in, off the field stuff, is ridiculous," said Koch.
"His energy on the field, when we train, it's something that you feed off. His knowledge, watching the game, analysing the players is just ridiculous.
"He's one of the coaches that we're definitely going to miss because he played such a big role since he walked in. He was one of the reasons why we were successful over the last few years.
"Me and Eben spoke this week... He was an unbelievable coach and of course we are going to miss him but we are super excited to get the new coaches in and feed from them as well but Felix Jones was just unbelievable and a great person. He's a great guy off the field as well.
"What he drove quite a lot was workrate and effort around the park. Of course, you come off the line but that's not your job done. For him, that was one thing he drove a lot, your second action or your actions after you've done one good thing. That stood out."
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