‘We’re Going to See Elizabedi’: Teenagers Rename Etzebeth after World Cup, to Meet Boks Heroes In the heart of South Africa’s Eastern Cape, a group of teenagers from the small village of Etzebeth have made a lasting impression on the nation. Inspired by the heroics of Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, they bestowed upon him a new name: “Elizabedi.” The renaming ceremony, held on a dusty field, was a testament to the unity and passion that Etzebeth’s performances had evoked in the young rugby enthusiasts. Led by 15-year-old Aphiwe Nonxuba, the teenagers scrawled “Elizabedi” onto a banner and sang songs in his honor. “We were so inspired by the way he played,” Nonxuba said. “He was like a warrior on the field, and he fought for our country. We wanted to show him our appreciation.” Etzebeth, who hails from the same region, was deeply touched by the gesture. He sent the teenagers a video message expressing his gratitude and admiration. “I’m so honored that you would name your village after me,” Etzebeth said. “It means the world to know that I have inspired you.” The teenagers’ story gained national attention, and it caught the eye of the South African Rugby Union (SARU). SARU arranged for the group to travel to Cape Town to witness the Springboks in action against Argentina. “This is a dream come true,” Nonxuba exclaimed. “We never thought we would get the chance to see our heroes live.” The teenagers, who are all avid rugby players themselves, will have the opportunity to meet Etzebeth and the rest of the Boks at the stadium. They are also excited to experience the atmosphere of a world-class rugby match. “We’re going to cheer for them with all our hearts,” Nonxuba said. “We are Elizabedi, and we are proud!” The story of the Etzebeth teenagers highlights the transformative power of sport. Their renaming of their village after a sporting hero has not only brought them together but has also inspired others across the country. It is a tale of unity, passion, and the enduring legacy of sporting excellence.In a heartwarming gesture, two Mpumalanga teenagers, Siya Dlamini and Lwazi Zulu, will join the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Their viral video, in which Siya enthusiastically renamed Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth as “Elizabedi” during the World Cup quarter-final against France, has captured the hearts of many.In a heartwarming gesture, two Mpumalanga teenagers, Siya Dlamini and Lwazi Zulu, will join the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Their viral video, in which Siya enthusiastically renamed Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth as “Elizabedi” during the World Cup quarter-final against France, has captured the hearts of many. After their video went viral, SA Rugby extended an invitation to Siya and Lwazi, allowing them to witness the world champions face off against Ireland. The teenagers will have the opportunity to meet Etzebeth and experience the electrifying atmosphere at the historic stadium. This gesture highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating the passion and enthusiasm of young fans. By inviting Siya and Lwazi to the match, SA Rugby is fostering a connection between the team and the community, inspiring future generations of rugby enthusiasts.Seventeen-year-old Njabulo Ntshangase and his Vereeniging Hoërskool friends thought they were just having fun when they renamed the statue of former South African Prime Minister John Vorster, “Elizabedi” after Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan last year. Now, a year later, they will get an opportunity to meet the man they idolise at Ellis Park when the Springboks take on Scotland on Saturday. Njabulo and his friends will be part of the thousands of school children who will attend the Test match, courtesy of SA Rugby who have extended more than 20,000 complimentary tickets to underprivileged schools around the country for this match. “We were watching the final together at a friend’s house and we had a bet that if the Boks won, we would rename the statue ‘Elizabedi’,” the Grade 11 learner told SA Rugby magazine about the day that changed everything. “We didn’t think anyone would take us seriously, but then someone posted a picture of it on Facebook and it just went viral. “I think people were happy because they could see that we were proud to be South African.” The nickname has stuck and Njabulo says that whenever they pass the statue of the former Prime Minister, they still call him Elizabedi. “It’s a reminder of that day and what it meant to us,” he said. “We’re so excited to meet the Boks and Siya Kolisi. He’s our hero and we can’t wait to see him play.” SA Rugby Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, said that the initiative to give away tickets to underprivileged school children is part of the organisation’s commitment to growing the game and inspiring the next generation of Springboks. “We want to make sure that every child in South Africa has the opportunity to experience the magic of a Springbok Test match,” Erasmus said. “And we hope that by giving them these tickets, we can inspire them to dream big and to believe that anything is possible.”