
Eben Etzebeth – Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth and Career
Eben Etzebeth is widely regarded as one of the most imposing locks in world rugby. A cornerstone of the Springboks’ pack, he has played a central role in South Africa’s recent dominance, including back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. Born in Cape Town in 1991, Etzebeth combines raw physicality with surprising agility, making him a formidable presence in the lineout and open play.
Standing over two metres tall and weighing around 120 kilograms, Etzebeth has become the most-capped Springbok in history, with 141 Test appearances by the end of 2025. His career has taken him from Western Province to the Sharks, with a stint at Toulon in between. Off the field, he keeps his personal life largely private, though his marriage to South African actress and singer Anlia van Rensburg in 2023 drew public attention.
This article covers his age, height, weight, family, financial situation, and the major milestones of his rugby career, drawing exclusively on verified sources.
Eben Etzebeth’s Age, Height, and Weight
- Age: 34 (born 29 October 1991)
- Height: 203 cm (6 ft 7 in); some sources list 2.04 m
- Weight: 120 kg (265 lb)
- World Cup Wins: 2 (2019, 2023)
Key Insights
- Etzebeth is a cornerstone of the Springboks’ pack, known for his physicality and lineout skills.
- He is one of only a handful of players to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups.
- His height makes him one of the tallest locks in professional rugby.
- He became South Africa’s youngest player to reach 50 caps in 2016, at age 24.
- Personal life is kept private; wife and family details are not widely publicised.
- He was named SA Men’s Rugby Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023.
- He has been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year honours.
Biographical Snapshot
| Full Name | Eben Etzebeth |
| Date of Birth | 29 October 1991 |
| Age | 34 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 203 cm (6 ft 7 in); some sources 2.04 m |
| Weight | 120 kg (265 lb); one profile lists 125 kg |
| Position | Lock (number 4) |
| Current Club | Sharks (United Rugby Championship) |
| National Team | South Africa (Springboks) |
| Rugby World Cup Wins | 2 (2019, 2023) |
| Spouse | Anlia van Rensburg (married 4 February 2023) |
| Children | One daughter named Elizebedi; some sources mention two daughters |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1–5 million (speculative, no official figure) |
Who Is Eben Etzebeth’s Wife? Family and Personal Life
Who is Eben Etzebeth’s wife?
Eben Etzebeth married Anlia van Rensburg, a South African actress and singer, on 4 February 2023. The ceremony was private, and the couple have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight. Van Rensburg is known for her work in Afrikaans television and music.
Who are Eben Etzebeth’s family?
Etzebeth comes from a rugby-involved family. His father played club rugby, and his brother is also a rugby player, though specific details about his parents and siblings are limited in public records. The couple have one daughter named Elizebedi, according to a profile on Boksquad. Some lifestyle sources mention two daughters, but that detail is less consistently supported.
Etzebeth’s personal life is deliberately kept out of the media. His wife’s name and details about his children are not widely publicised on official team or league websites. Most information comes from lifestyle blogs or social media, not from the player or his representatives.
Eben Etzebeth’s Net Worth and Salary
What is Eben Etzebeth’s net worth?
No reliable, sourced figure exists for Eben Etzebeth’s net worth. Estimates circulating online range from $1 million to $5 million, but these are speculative. Official biographies, including his Wikipedia page and the Springboks site, do not provide financial data. Any exact number would require a separate verified financial source.
What is Eben Etzebeth’s salary?
Exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed. He currently plays for the Sharks and the Springboks. Top South African players in the United Rugby Championship are reported to earn in the region of R3–5 million per year, but no contract details for Etzebeth have been made public. His spell with Toulon in France’s Top 14 likely involved a higher salary, but those terms remain unconfirmed.
Many websites publish estimated net worth or salary figures for Etzebeth, but none are backed by official contracts or audited financial reports. The provided search results contain only biography and rugby profile pages, not financial statements. Treat any dollar figure as unverified.
Does Eben Etzebeth Have a Book?
Has Eben Etzebeth written a book?
No official book by Eben Etzebeth is listed in major retailers or in provided sources. The question likely arises from confusion with other players who have published autobiographies, such as Siya Kolisi. As of 2026, there is no evidence of a book written by Etzebeth, nor any announcement of a planned publication.
Search queries about an “Eben Etzebeth book” may stem from misattribution. Other Springboks, such as Kolisi and Victor Matfield, have released memoirs. No credible source links Etzebeth to a book project.
What Are Eben Etzebeth’s Major Rugby Achievements?
How many Rugby World Cups has Eben Etzebeth won?
Etzebeth is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner. He was part of the Springboks squad that triumphed in Japan in 2019 and again in France in 2023. He is one of only a few players to win back-to-back World Cups.
Which teams has Eben Etzebeth played for?
He made his senior debut for Western Province in 2010 and later played for the Stormers in Super Rugby. In 2021 he moved to Toulon in France’s Top 14, before returning to South Africa in 2022 to join the Sharks, where he currently plays. He has represented the Springboks since his debut in 2012.
What position does Eben Etzebeth play?
He plays as a lock (second row), usually wearing the number 4 jersey. He is known as an enforcer in the tight phases and a dominant lineout jumper.
What other honours has he earned?
South Africa also won the Rugby Championship in 2019 and 2024 during his career. He was named SA Men’s Rugby Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, and has been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year awards.
Key Milestones in Eben Etzebeth’s Career
- 1991 – Born in Cape Town, South Africa.
- 2010 – Made senior debut for Western Province.
- 2012 – Springbok debut against England.
- 2015 – Part of World Cup squad that reached the semi-final.
- 2016 – Became South Africa’s youngest player to reach 50 caps.
- 2019 – Won Rugby World Cup in Japan.
- 2021 – Moved to Toulon (Top 14).
- 2022 – Returned to South Africa to play for the Sharks.
- 2023 – Won second Rugby World Cup in France.
- 2025 – Became South Africa’s most-capped Springbok with 141 Test appearances.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Eben Etzebeth?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth, height, weight, playing positions, teams, and World Cup wins are confirmed by official sources. | Net worth and salary: no official figure; estimates vary widely and are speculative. |
| Springbok debut in 2012 and career timeline are documented in rugby records. | Wife’s name (Anlia van Rensburg) is confirmed, but detailed family background is sparse. |
| Two-time RWC winner (2019, 2023). | Book: no evidence of a book written by Etzebeth; the query may be due to confusion or planned projects. |
| Attended Hoërskool Tygerberg in Parow. | Exact number of children: one daughter confirmed; some sources mention two. |
How Does Eben Etzebeth Compare to Other Springbok Locks?
Etzebeth is often compared to iconic Springbok locks such as Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. His aggressive style and lineout prowess have been crucial in South Africa’s back-to-back World Cup victories. He is noted for combining raw physicality with surprising mobility for his size. While Botha was known for his enforcer role and Matfield for his lineout intelligence, Etzebeth blends both attributes. He has been described by the Springboks’ official site as one of the world’s most respected locks.
What Do Official Sources Say About Eben Etzebeth?
“Etzebeth, a two-time RWC winner, combines tight phase aggression with silky skills and superb lineout ability.”
— Springboks.rugby official profile
“Eben Etzebeth (born 29 October 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the Sharks…”
— Wikipedia
“Eben Etzebeth is a world-class lock who has won back-to-back Rugby World Cups with the Springboks.”
— RugbyPass
What’s Next for Eben Etzebeth?
Etzebeth continues his career with the Sharks and is expected to be a key player for South Africa in the 2025 Rugby Championship and the 2027 Rugby World Cup. His current contract with the Sharks runs through 2025. Whether he will move to an overseas club later in his career remains unconfirmed, but his form suggests he will remain a central figure in the Springbok pack for the foreseeable future. For more on other rugby stars, read Gethin Jones – Partner, children, rugby and career facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jersey number does Eben Etzebeth wear?
He typically wears number 4 or 5 for the Springboks, and number 4 for the Sharks.
Is Eben Etzebeth on social media?
Yes, his verified Instagram account is @ebenetzebeth4 with over 673k followers.
How many caps does Eben Etzebeth have for South Africa?
As of the end of 2025, he has 141 Test caps, making him South Africa’s most-capped Springbok.
What is Eben Etzebeth’s playing style?
He is known for physical defence, powerful ball-carrying, and lineout dominance.
Did Eben Etzebeth play for Toulon?
Yes, he played for Toulon in France’s Top 14 from 2021 to 2022 before returning to South Africa.
What school did Eben Etzebeth attend?
He attended Hoërskool Tygerberg in Parow, Cape Town.
How many Rugby Championships has Eben Etzebeth won?
South Africa won the Rugby Championship in 2019 and 2024 during his career.
Is Eben Etzebeth related to any other rugby player?
His brother is also a rugby player, but his name and career details are not widely publicised.
What awards has Eben Etzebeth won?
He was named SA Men’s Rugby Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, and has been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.
Why do people search for an Eben Etzebeth book?
The query likely arises from confusion with other Springboks who have published autobiographies. No book by Etzebeth exists.
For more on top international athletes, see Sergio Ramos – 2025 Career Update and Future Plans.