Eben Etzebeth Signs with French Rugby Club in Toulon for 3 More Years

South African Springbok rugby player, Eben Etzebeth, has extended his contract with French Rugby Club Toulonnais for three more seasons.

The delighted club announced on Thursday that since Etzebeth still has one year of his current two-year contract remaining, it now means that he’ll play for Toulon (which is in southern France) until June 2024.

In a TV interview (watch below) the proudly South African player said he had always been thinking about perhaps staying longer in Toulon. “It’s nice to settle down in a place, find your feet, and I think Toulon is definitely a town where I can do that. It’s by the ocean (with) great weather, great people.” He’ll be away from home for longer, but said his family visits every now and then.

Etzebeth – who usually plays for the Western Cape Stormers and was part of South Africa’s winning World Cup Rugby team in November 2019 – has won the hearts of French rugby supporters in Mayol, Toulon, since his first appearance in the Red and Black jersey the following month, on 22 December, said the Club.

The Club’s plans for Etzebeth include having him as one of their key players, bringing experience to the team, as well as supervising promising young players from the training centre.

The Club said the entire RCT team is “delighted” with Etzebeth’s confidence in the Toulon project, and are looking forward to seeing him and his teammates again on the Top 14 fields from the start of the 2020-2021 season.

Etzebeth announced the extension of the contract on social media in French and English: “Privileged to be part of @rctofficiel for the next 4 years! Privilégié de faire partie de @rctofficiel pour les 4 prochaines années! #rct #mercibeaucoup”

Etzebeth says they’ll take it game by game, but he has his eye on winning trophies, and thanked supporters and sponsors, saying “stick with us, we’ll make you proud”.

WATCH Eben Etzebeth talks about extending his contract by 3 years in France

Over the weekend, Etzebeth was in nearby Corsica, enjoying a Sunday braai!

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