South African interim captain Eben Etzebeth will play against New Zealand on Saturday in Auckland for the second day of the Rugby Championship, despite the death of his father, a team official told AFP. The 31-year-old second-row father died on Tuesday, leaving it in doubt whether Etzebeth will attend the Rugby Championship fixture or return home to support his family.
The former Toulon player who now plays for the Sharks took part in the captain’s training at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday morning, and Springboks media officer Zeena Isaacs confirmed to AFP that he will play. A South African rugby executive had described Etzebeth as being “extremely close” to her father, Harry. Etzebeth is currently the Springboks’ captain, with Siya Kolisi out with a knee injury. It will be his first game since his shoulder injury three months ago.
“The week has been very difficult 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 very difficult for him to be on the other side of the world.” Both teams go into the match after resounding victories on Matchday 1 of The Rugby Championship. The All Blacks thrashed Argentina 41-12 away last Saturday, the same day South Africa beat Australia 43-12 in Pretoria.
