HENDO HOLDS BOKS STAR IN HIGH REGARD

EBEN ETZEBETH has been a constant feature in Iain Henderson’s blossoming Ireland career and the Ulsterman will make a beeline for the Springboks skipper at the final whistle.

Although he’s faced him on numerous occasions stretching back to the U20 World Cup six years ago in Italy, Henderson has yet to collect an Etzebeth (above) jersey.

The chance came up at the end of last year’s summer tour but Henderson was selected in the back row rather than at lock – and was happy to let debutant Ireland lock Quinn Roux swap jerseys instead.

“It’s about the memory that comes with sharing that jersey,” said Henderson.

“I’ll always remember Marcel Coetzee because it was my first cap and other ones from the Lions tour because we swapped with all the club jerseys we played against.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily about collecting them the way you might have collected football cards or Pokemon cards.

“It’s definitely more about playing against someone and maybe getting a good win over them when there’s a really good contest – then afterwards you have a chat and swap jerseys.”

Etzebeth has recovered from an ankle injury suffered in training to be available to

Allister Coetzee this weekend.

Henderson added: “I’ve bumped into him, chatted to him on brief occasions a couple of times but haven’t been out for a few pints with him – not yet anyway.

“He’s a huge leader, a massive presence.”