Just back from injury, named captain of the Springboks in the absence of Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, is ultimately not sure of playing the second day of the Rugby Championship in New Zealand on Saturday, after the announcement of the death of his father , an official of the South African federation told AFP on Wednesday.
“The Springboks management will leave it to Eben to decide whether he wants to return home immediately or captain the team on Saturday,” an SA Rugby official told the Agency. “We know that Eben is very emotional because he was very close to his father,” he added.
The second line, passed by RC Toulon, was appointed captain in the absence of flanker Siya Kolisi, launched in a race against time after a knee operation to be ready before the kick-off of the World Cup of rugby in France from September 8 to October 28.
If Etzebeth, 31, decides to take his place on Saturday, it would be his first game since suffering a shoulder injury three months ago.
If he were to give up the shock against the All Blacks, RG Snyman, who plays with Munster, could be chosen to replace him at the head of the Springboks.
The Rugby Championship has been reduced to just three rounds this season due to the World Cup, and Saturday’s showdown at Auckland’s Eden Park is likely to be a title clash.
Springboks and All Blacks made their mark last weekend: South Africa swept Australia 43-12 in Pretoria and New Zealand crushed Argentina 41-12 in Mendoza.
