“He enjoys the respect of his team mates and also commands respect on and off the field. Eben is also well supported by a strong leadership group within the squad.”
Etzebeth is a skilled lineout jumper, strong ball-carrier and fiery competitor in the loose who won the first of 57 caps against England in 2012 as a 20-year-old. Loose forward Whiteley sustained a groin injury during the France series and initial expectations that he would be out of action for six to eight weeks proved overly optimistic.
He may be available only for the final two rounds of the southern hemisphere championship from late September at home to Australia and world champions New Zealand. After home and away Tests against the Pumas on successive weekends, the Springboks have a one week break before tackling the Wallabies and the All Blacks away.
Women’s World Cup will break attendance records, says World Rugby boss
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont has said the excitement surrounding the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland will result in the tournament breaking attendance records. With 12 countries competing for the trophy, the pool matches in Dublin have already been sold out.
The governing body expects the tournament, which began yesterday and ends with the final at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium on Aug. 26, to be the best-attended women’s rugby event ever.
“The excitement across Ireland and beyond is phenomenal,” Beaumont said. “It all points to what will be a defining, record-breaking Rugby World Cup.”
Defending champions England beat Spain 56-5 in their opening encounter in Pool B earlier yesterday, and face Italy next. New Zealand also scored a easy win over Wales 44-12 in Pool A match.