“Everyone Has a Double”: Paarl Man Wins Spot in Springbok Campaign As Eben Etzebeth Lookalike

• Anthony Smit, a 26-year-old construction manager from Paarl, has been stopped repeatedly by strangers convinced he is Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth
• Friends pushed Smit to enter Klipdrift's lookalike search after years of mix-ups, including a memorable incident at a biltong shop
• Smit was selected as one of 23 doubles for the brand campaign and travelled to Johannesburg for a Springbok match at Ellis Park

A 26-year-old construction manager from Paarl has been turning heads for all the right reasons. Anthony Smit bears such a striking resemblance to Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth that strangers have been stopping him for years, utterly convinced they had just spotted one of South Africa's most recognisable rugby players.

The mix-ups have produced some genuinely funny moments over the years. One standout involved a woman in a biltong shop who nearly fell off her chair the moment she spotted Smit and screamed what she believed was Etzebeth's name. When she realised her mistake, the shock sent her tumbling all over again.

Read also

Bergville man’s homemade Bugatti-style car leaves Mzansi impressed

Friends who had watched the double-takes pile up for years eventually convinced Smit to put the resemblance to good use. Klipdrift, the well-known South African brandy brand, had launched a search for everyday South Africans who could pass as Springbok players, and his circle felt he was a natural fit. Smit entered, made the cut, and was selected as one of 23 lookalikes chosen for the Klipdrift campaign. The group took part in brand photo shoots and events, and the adventure culminated in a trip to Johannesburg for a Springbok match at Ellis Park. For an ordinary guy from Paarl, it was quite the ride. See the lookalike in the Springboks kit by clicking here.

SA debate Eben Etzebeth resemblance

South Africans had plenty to say about Smit's uncanny likeness on the Forever Yena News Facebook post:

Philip Bateman wrote:

"He's too short."

Dave Shepherd said:

"That's uncanny."

Ettienne Fourie added:

"I'm also from Paarl and am often likened to HHH when working up in Africa."

Craig Young noted:

"Wonderful, I guess only really short people will think it's actually him."

Sylvia Currie concluded:

"Wow, they say everyone has a double."

Other Briefly News stories about Eben Etzebeth

• Photos and videos shared by the couple showcased their luxury beachfront property located along KwaZulu-Natal's Dolphin Coast.
• Appearing on Boks Unpacked, record-capped lock Eben Etzebeth revealed that he played as a winger up until the under-16 level when he hit a growth spurt.
• Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth shared a hilarious sponsored video on Instagram, playfully poking fun at winger Cheslin Kolbe's 1.7-metre frame.

Source: Briefly News