Bakkies hits out at Etzebeth's Toulon stay: 'He only shows his best face with the Springboks'

Legendary former Springbok lock Bakkies Botha has described Eben Etzebeth as the best in the world but criticised his efforts at French outfit Toulon.

Etzebeth, the Boks' second row enforcer, made headlines last week by announcing he would leave Toulon to join the Sharks in Durban.

Etzebeth's tenure at Toulon has been plagues by injuries and he faces another month on the sidelines after suffering a torn muscle during a training session before Toulon's Top 14 meeting with Perpignan.

Frustratingly for the struggling French giants, their prized asset had just returned from a three-month break last week as part of a concussion protocol.

There has previously been tension between Etzebeth and the club's hierarchy, with president Bernard Lemaitre stating he believes players like Etzebeth represent "handicaps" to teams because they cost a lot of money and then run the risk of being out of commission due to injuries sustained at international level.

Botha, who played 85 Tests for the Springboks, finished his career at Toulon where he won several accolades.

During Botha's stint at Toulon between 2011 and 2015, the club won the European Champions Cup three times and one Top 14 title.

He achieved cult status at the club and in an interview with Midi Olympique has hit out at Etzebeth's stay there.

"Eben Etzebeth? Incredible fighter, best second row in the world," Botha told the French publication. "But I regret that he only shows his best face with the Springboks. In Toulon, he is still a little injured, concussed and in the end, never plays.

"Obviously, he was not made for France and he will turn his back on the problems the club went through to return to South Africa.

"It's disappointing. I love Eben, I repeat. But you can't say when you