Etzebeth full of ambition

Stand-in captain Springbok Eben Etzebeth is setting his sights on usurping the All Blacks at the top of the World Rugby rankings.

It is a bold statement from Etzebeth who certainly doesn't lack in self-confidence and has done an admirable job since coming in for the injured Whiteley.

The Boks have won their last five games including three against France in a June home Test series and two against Argentina in the Rugby Championship (home and away).

They next face Australia in Round three of the Rugby Championship in Perth on September 9 before travelling to face the All Blacks in Albany the following weekend.

And Etzebeth has admitted that the next phase will be the toughest test of 2017 thus far. He is happy that the Boks have risen from seventh place to third in the space of five games but is not resting on his laurels and wants to soar all the way to the top above traditional rivals New Zealand (which won't be an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination).

“There will be a step up required (from the first five matches of the season) but luckily we play against them in Super Rugby so we know what they do," Etzebeth told Supersport.

"There will obviously be a few differences (with the national teams) but we know what to expect against them.

And when asked what he thought was the key ingredient to the Boks' recent resurgence and success, he pointed to the Boks having had more time to prepare – players and management alike.

“I think it comes down to us having more time to prepare. The coach had more time this year to get his management team together and we have had more time to prepare and get organised,” said Etzebeth.

“It is great that we have risen to three in the world rankings. From seven to three in the space of five games is pretty good. But we are not where we want to be.

"Everyone knows where the Boks want to be, and we have two spaces more to jump up. We are looking to climb that ladder two more spots.”