Springboks star Eben Etzebeth’s ‘freakish’ gym records put opponents to shame

Rugby News

by Rugby Rucker

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at 21:32

byRugby Rucker

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. Few players of his size have ever been able to move with such speed and aggression.

When it comes to rugby’s modern-day hard men, few strike fear quite like Eben Etzebeth.

The colossal Springbok lock has already racked up 138 caps and two Rugby World Cup titles, cementing his place among the game’s true greats.

Standing a towering 6ft 8in and tipping the scales at over 19 stone, Etzebeth is the heaviest player in the South African squad — yet moves with the power and agility of a back-rower.

His 19-inch biceps rival the width of a rugby ball, and his exploits in the gym have become the stuff of rugby folklore.

Simply put, when Etzebeth takes the field, it’s not just a contest — it’s a collision.

Bench press: 175kg and climbing.
Custom dumbbells: 75kg each — because the standard gym kit simply isn’t heavy enough.
Speed: 40m in 5.11 seconds, reaching a top speed of 17.4 mph. For comparison, Usain Bolt covered 40m in 4.64 seconds during his prime.

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The combination of raw strength and rare mobility explains why Etzebeth has been at the heart of the Bok pack for over a decade. He’s not just a lineout dominator or bruising tackler — he’s the kind of athlete who sets the physical standard in world rugby.

A True “Freak of Nature”

Teammates and opponents alike describe Etzebeth as a freak of nature

Whether it’s smashing rucks, bullying scrums, or galloping down the touchline like a flanker, the man from Cape Town continues to redefine what’s possible for a lock forward.

Former Bok coach Rassie Erasmus once said Etzebeth brings “a unique intimidation factor,” and it’s not hard to see why. His presence alone shifts momentum — and when he adds his monstrous work rate, South Africa become near-impossible to outmuscle.