When Etzebeth sank the Bismarck

FLASHBACK: We go back to 2012 when a giant of the game announced himself to the world.

With Bakkies Botha's career winding down and with him playing in France, South Africa was in search of a new "enforcer" to scare opponents in their boots.

Along came Eben Etzebeth who arrived in a big way in 2012 at the tender age of 20.

It was a breakout season for the player who helped the Stormers reach the Super Rugby semifinals where they came up against the Sharks at Newlands.

In that match, Etzebeth came up against another South African hard man in the form of Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis, who was in his prime and a Bok veteran.

In the opening minutes of the game, Etzebeth got the ball in the midfield with Du Plessis approaching him to make the tackle.

The burly hooker stood no chance with Etzebeth showing his sheer power by smashing him to the ground.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x340jc7

Du Plessis did not know what hit him and it was evident that he was struggling a bit after that knock.

He did eventually pull himself together to help the Sharks to a famous win which booked them a ticket to the Super Rugby Final.

However, that game will forever be remembered for that hit which sent shockwaves around the rugby world.

Etzebeth eventually made his Springbok debut under Heyneke Meyer that same year. The now 28-year-old has 85 Test caps for the Boks.

And like his predecessor Bakkies Botha, Etzebeth is now also aWorld Cup winner.

Video sources: www.dailymotion.com & Die Hard Rugby