Eben Etzebeth’s Personal Tragedy Amidst Springboks Captaincy Announcement

by
1 min read
south african rugby eben etzebeth

South African rugby player Eben Etzebeth has been named captain of the Springboks, the national rugby team, ahead of their second Rugby Championship Test against New Zealand on Saturday. However, this exciting news is also accompanied by grief as Etzebeth’s father, Harry Etzebeth, passed away on Tuesday night.

Etzebeth’s Father Passes Away

Renowned South African rugby writer Hendrik Cronje announced the passing of Harry Etzebeth. The decision on whether Eben Etzebeth will continue to play in the upcoming match or return home to mourn his father’s passing is entirely up to him. In light of this tragic news, TheSouthAfrican.com team, along with countless South African rugby fans, offer their condolences to Eben and his family.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Springboks Strong Lineup

While Eben Etzebeth deals with his personal tragedy, the Springboks have announced a strong lineup to face their New Zealand rivals. The starting team includes Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, and Damian Willemse. Faf de Klerk, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Lood de Jager, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, and Steven Kitshoff complete the lineup.

The Springboks vs New Zealand All Blacks

The Springboks have a rich history of rivalry with the New Zealand All Blacks, having played 103 matches against each other. South Africa has won 38, lost 61, and drawn 4. The points for and against indicate a closely contested rivalry, with South Africa scoring 1,674 points to New Zealand’s 2,143 in their head-to-head meetings. The Springboks have scored 160 tries, while the All Blacks boast 234.

Etzebeth’s Decision

As the world watches with anticipation, it remains to be seen whether Eben Etzebeth will lead his team on Saturday in the face of personal tragedy. Regardless of his decision, the impact of Etzebeth’s skill, determination, and leadership on the Springboks team and rugby as a sport is undoubtedly significant. As we look forward to this upcoming match, let us remember the human element behind the athletes who give their all on the field.

Tags:

You might be interested in

Aiden Abrahams is a Cape Town-based journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting political landscape for the Weekend Argus and Daily Maverick. Whether tracking parliamentary debates or tracing the legacy of District Six through his family’s own displacement, he roots every story in the voices that braid the Peninsula’s many cultures. Off deadline you’ll find him pacing the Sea Point promenade, debating Kaapse klopse rhythms with anyone who’ll listen.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

kevin anderson newport atp 250
Previous Story

Kevin Anderson: A Remarkable Comeback to Professional Tennis

rugby world cup springboks
Next Story

Anticipated Roster Changes for the Springboks in Rugby World Cup

Latest from Blog

Kiteboarding Extreme Sports

Forty Metres of Air: The Morning Kiteboarding Rewrote Physics

Hugo Wigglesworth, a young kiteboarder, defied gravity and rewrote the record books by soaring an incredible 40 meters into the air. He used powerful winds, a perfectly timed jump off a wave, and special gear to achieve this amazing feat. His careful planning and hundreds of practice runs made him fly higher than anyone before, showing the world what’s possible in kiteboarding.

housing crisis Airbnb

Airbnb Under Fire: How Cape Town’s Housing Crunch Became a Tourism Blame-Game

Cape Town’s housing woes are NOT really Airbnb’s fault, even though a viral photo tried to blame them! The real problem is that not enough homes are being built, and lots of new people are moving to the city. Getting building permits takes forever, making homes expensive. Airbnb brings in lots of money and jobs, and even if all Airbnbs disappeared, it wouldn’t fix the big housing shortage. The city needs to build more homes and make it easier to do so, not just point fingers at tourists.

Cape Town Restaurants

Cape Town’s Hottest Tables: Where Summer Tastes Like Salt, Smoke and Midnight Vinyl

Cape Town’s new restaurants are super exciting, offering amazing tastes from the ocean, farms, and even old recipes. Places like Amura serve unique sea dishes, while Tannin has a huge wine list and tiny plates. Café Sofi bakes heavenly pastries, Beach Buns makes awesome burgers, and Le Bistrot de JAN mixes French and South African flavors. These spots let you taste the city’s lively food scene, from fancy dinners to casual beach eats, making every meal an adventure.

South Africa Ocean

Between Concrete and Current – Four Inland Hearts Meet the Indian Ocean

This article tells a beautiful story of four South Africans from inland places who see the Indian Ocean for the very first time. For many, the sea is just a picture, far away and hard to reach. But when these brave people finally touch the salty water, it changes them deeply. They feel the ocean’s power, taste its salt, and understand that this huge, blue world is now a part of their own story, breaking down old ideas about who can connect with the sea.