Etzebeth can do a top job as Bok captain in Whiteley’s absence – Coetzee

THE STORMERS’ pair of Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi will lead the Springboks as captain and vice-captain respectively in the absence of Warren Whiteley for their 2017 Rugby Championship campaign.

With the Boks’ Rugby Championship campaign kicking off on August 19 against Argentina in Port Elizabeth, Etzebeth was yesterday named as Bok skipper in the absence of Whiteley, who is expected to be out for six more weeks with a groin injury.

Whiteley, the regular Lions skipper who earlier this year was appointed Bok captain for the 2017 season, has already missed out on the last month of Super Rugby, including the Lions’ three home play-off matches against the Sharks, Hurricanes and Crusaders. He was also a late withdrawal for the third Test of the Boks’ series whitewash over France in June, when Etzebeth became the 59th Springbok captain.

Etzebeth, who made his international debut against England in Durban as a 20-year-old back in 2012, has played 57 Test matches for the Springboks.

Bok coach Allister Coetzee mentioned experienced Sharks prop Tendai Mtawarira and Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies as part of a “strong leadership group”.

Coetzee also praised Etzebeth for the way he stood in for Whiteley – who only featured for the Boks as captain in the first two Tests in Durban and Pretoria – during the final Test against the French.

“Eben did an excellent job against France in Johannesburg, when he had to step in at short notice after the late withdrawal of Warren. He enjoys the respect of his team-mates on and off the field,” said Coetzee. “He is well supported by our strong leadership group which consists of Siya, Tendai Mtawarira and Elton Jantjies.”