Bok coach lauds skipper

Rudolph Jacobs

National coach Allister Coetzee is firmly of the opinion that there should be no doubt about the value lock Eben Etzebeth has brought to the Springboks as captain.

Initially named as the team’s vice-captain at the start of the year – a role flank Siya Kolisi has since taken over – Etzebeth (below) has captained the side in their last three Tests, steering them to three commanding victories in a row.

While Etzebeth is likely to relinquish the leadership to Warren Whiteley when he returns from his groin injury for the home leg of the Rugby Championship at the end of September, Coetzee believes Etzebeth deserves respect for what he has achieved so far.

“I think the key for winning last weekend in Salta against Argentina was leadership, the way our players showed calmness and character under pressure,” said Coetzee.

“There is a strong leadership group around Etzebeth as captain and when he speaks, the players listen.”

It’s this leadership along with Kolisi, prop Beast Mtawarira, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and flank Jaco Kriel, that makes Coetzee upbeat about the stern challenges awaiting Down Under.

“But it’s a different beast waiting, because it’s always tough going down to Australia,” he said.

“They’re hitting form and don’t look at Super Rugby and how their teams did there.”

The Wallabies suffered losses of 54-34 and 35-29 in their last two Tests against the All Blacks, but the last time out they surrendered a 17-0 lead to the men in black.

“The team that just played against the All Blacks showed they are really improving,” said Coetzee.

“They admittedly made quite a number of mistakes in the first game and were then punished. But we all saw how they put the All Blacks under pressure in the second game.”