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4th July 2024
03:14pm BST
Eben Etzebeth has claimed that he has been targeted by the Irish media after his remarks following the previous World Cup clash.
The Springboks came up against Ireland only last year in France on a day where Andy Farrell's side were victorious.
Following the win, Etzebeth stated around '12 out of the 23' Irish players claimed that they would 'see you in the final'.
Despite high anticipation, the second clash never came to fruition and the Boks claimed the Webb Ellis Cup after defeating New Zealand.
However, on Saturday the hugely awaited rematch between South Africa and Ireland is to finally be played, prompting reappearance of Etzebeth's controversial quotes.
He refused to back down on his former quotes, instead claiming that his words had been taken out of context:
‘I would say the Irish media definitely targeted me after that incident. I said what I said. I see a lot of them said, “How could you count exactly to that certain amount?”
‘You obviously give an estimate. It was definitely at least six or seven and was not more than 20 of them. So, I just gave an estimate.
‘We will never, after a game, tell a team that we’ll see you in the final if there is so much rugby still to be played.
‘Maybe that was their way of saying that we are a good side and that we might make it all the way through.'
It's all to play for.
