EBEN UNLOCKS STORY
“Unlocked” tells Eben Etzebeth’s story - from his upbringing in Goodwood to his aspirations, the challenges he’s overcome and what it truly took to wear the green and gold.
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SPRINGBOK yster Eben Etzebeth has released his much-anticipated autobiography, “Unlocked”.
His debut offers fans an unfiltered glimpse into the life, challenges and triumphs of the most-capped Springbok in history.
Feared by opponents and loved by Mzansi, Etzebeth has long been known for his physical dominance on the pitch - a towering lock with unrelenting energy, intelligence and aggression.
Now, in “Unlocked”, he turns the spotlight inward, reflecting on the highs and lows of his life and career, and how the breker from Goodwood became one of the most iconic figures in world rugby.
He shared on Instagram: “Over the past few months, I’ve taken time to reflect on my journey - the highs, the lows, the lessons, the people and the moments that shaped me.
“‘Unlocked’ tells my story, from growing up in Goodwood to my aspirations, the challenges I’ve faced and what it really took to wear the green and gold. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me - this one is for you.”
Readers will learn how, as a child, he had posters of rugby legends like Bob Skinstad and Jonah Lomu on his bedroom wall.
At the start of high school, he was considered too small to make the A team as a wing and by matric, he was a 120kg force of nature - no longer a backline player but a dominant lock whose transformation stunned even his childhood coaches.