Bok captain out for 6 weeks

The Springbok captain Warren Whiteley will miss the majority of the Rugby Championship after it was confirmed he'll be out for another 6 weeks with a groin injury.

Eben Etzebeth will continue as the Springboks stand-in captain for the Rugby Championship.

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, starting with the home clash against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on August 19th.

"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 and also commands respect on and off the field," said Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

Etzebeth debuted for the Springboks aged 20 and has won a total of 57 caps. Loose forward Siya Kolisi has been named vice-captain.

South Africa play Argentina away on August 26th in Salta in their second game in the Rugby Championship and then travel to Australia and New Zealand for tests in Perth on September 9th and Auckland on September 16th.

Their last two matches are home to Australia in Bloemfontein on September 30 and New Zealand in Cape Town on October 7.

 

Photo: Photosport. Caption: Warren Whiteley chases TJ Perenara