Springboks captain Eben Etzebeth look set to play against New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship on Saturday despite the death of his father.
The 31-year-old lock’s father died on Tuesday, which made it unclear whether Etzebeth would play in the Rugby Championship showdown in Auckland or go home to help his family.
Etzebeth took part in the captain’s run on Friday morning at Mount Smart Stadium, and Springboks media manager Zeena Isaacs told AFP that he would play.
A South African Rugby official said that Etzebeth was “extremely close” to his father, Harry.
“It’s very, very sad. We have done everything in our power to be there for Eben,” Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick told reporters on Friday.
“He made a choice to play and I would like to think that he wants to do it for his dad. We’re 100 percent behind him.”
Siya Kolisi, the Springboks’ regular captain, is out with a knee injury, so Etzebeth is taking over as captain.
Since he hurt his shoulder three months ago, this will be his first game since then.
Sam Cane, the captain of New Zealand, said he felt bad for his South African counterpart.
“It’s been a pretty tough week for him and his family. As a team, we send our condolences to the Etzebeth family,” All Blacks captain Sam Cane told reporters.
“It must be pretty tough for him being on the other side of the world,” he added.
“We’ll see each other at the coin toss and then do battle on the field.”
Both teams are coming into the game after strong wins in the first round of the Rugby Championship.
Last Saturday, the All Blacks beat Argentina with a score of 41–12. On the same day, in Pretoria, South Africa beat Australia with a score of 43–12.
Duane Vermeulen, South Africa’s No. 8, led the team against Australia and is one of the replacements. South Africa’s bench has six forwards and two backs.
Due to the World Cup, which starts in September, there will only be three rounds of the Rugby Championship this year.
Saturday’s Test in Auckland is likely to decide who wins the championship, and Cane expects a tough battle between the two teams.
“You can see by the bench they have picked, it’s going to be a game that will be won up front,” Cane said.
“We are in for a big challenge. I’m just looking forward to it. It’s going to be all on.”
Photo by EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
