Eben Etzebeth: Lions tour the second biggest thing after the World Cup

Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth has described the British and Irish Lions tour as massive and the biggest thing after the Rugby World Cup.

The British and Irish Lions will tour South Africa in July as the international rugby season is set to get underway.

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Etzebeth, who is plying his trade in France for Toulon, said everyone is excited and looking forward to the tour.

Furthermore, Etzebeth said the reason every player is excited is that the Lions tour comes once in a rugby player’s lifetime.

“After the World Cup that’s the second biggest thing as a South African rugby player to be a part of. We’re all excited, looking forward to it,” said Etzebeth as per AFP.

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“They only come round once in your lifetime, every 12 years. A massive thing for all of us in South Africa.”

With the Springboks set to defend their World Cup title in France in 2023, Etzebeth said that didn’t influence his decision to extend his contract with Toulon until 2024.

He added that the fact that France will host the 2023 World Cup is just a bonus for him after revealing that he extended his the contract because he enjoys playing for Toulon.

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“If I didn’t enjoy life in Toulon and it was a bad place to play, I wouldn’t have stayed on just because the World Cup was going to be here,” he continued.

“The World Cup being here in 2023 is just a bonus,” added Etzebeth.

Etzebeth is hoping to make the Springboks squad for the Lions tour when an announcement is made on 5 June.

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