Eben Etzebeth to continue as stand-in South Africa captain
Tuesday 15 August 2017 15:08, UK
Eben Etzebeth will continue as South Africa's stand-in captain for the upcoming Rugby Championship as Warren Whiteley will be out for a further six weeks, South African Rugby confirmed on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old lock had already replaced Whiteley as skipper for the last of the three tests against France in June when the loose forward was ruled out of action with a groin injury.
Whiteley is not likely to be back before the end of September, which means Etzebeth could be captain for at least five of the six Springbok fixtures in this year's southern hemisphere championship.
"Eben did an excellent job against France in Johannesburg, when he had to step in at short notice after the late withdrawal of Warren," Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said in a statement.
"He enjoys the respect of his team-mates and also commands respect on and off the field.
"He is well supported by our strong leadership group which consists of Siya (Kolisi)‚ Tendai Mtawarira and Elton Jantjies."
Etzebeth debuted for the Springboks aged 20 in 2012 and has gone on to win a total of 57 international Test caps.
Back row forward Siya Kolisi has also been named vice-captain ahead of South Africa's first fixture against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on August 19.
South Africa play Argentina away on August 26 in Salta in their second game in the Rugby Championship and then travel to Australia and New Zealand for Tests in Perth on September 9 and Auckland on September 16.
Their last two matches are home to Australia in Bloemfontein on September 30 and New Zealand in Cape Town on October 7.
