Jacques Nienaber has urged Eben Etzebeth to keep his focus as the Springbok lock prepares to make his 100th Test appearance in the series decider against Wales in Cape Town on Saturday.

Etzebeth, who made his international debut in June 2012 against England, will become the seventh – and youngest – player to reach the significant career milestone, following in the footsteps of Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers and Percy Montgomery.

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Bok hooker Bongi Mbonambi will also celebrate a career milestone, winning his 50th Test cap.

Nienaber spoke highly of both players, but said the focus should remain on helping the Springboks win the third and final Test against Wales, after the tourists levelled the series in Bloemfontein.

“Both Eben and Bongi have big individual milestones, but rugby is a team sport. They’ve been given the opportunity to play in these milestone games because of good team performances,” said Nienaber.

“It’s a very proud moment and their families will be proud, but the key thing is that if you lose your 100th Test, I think it haunts you for the rest of your life and if you win it, that special day will stay with you forever.

“Their main thing is to focus on what the team needs. Both those guys have been warriors for South African rugby.”

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Nienaber, who also coached Etzebeth when they were at the Stormers together, said he was proud to see how the 30-year-old had matured through his career.

“He was always an athlete and, when he started out, he played for the Stormers before he played for Western Province,” said Nienaber. “I remember the young Eben, and now I see a guy that has a lot of leadership attributes and has captained the Springboks. It’s nice to see him become a man from the young kid he was when he started playing for us.

“We’re all naughty when we’re young, and then you get brains and responsibilities, and I think that’s the growth of a rugby player.

“The two penalties he conceded last weekend, Eben took personally, and I think that speaks volumes about him. He knows discipline is key for us to get victories at this level with how tight the games are, and he’s a big leader in terms of that.”

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Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images