'Eben is very emotional': Tragic news for Bok captain ahead of NZ Test

NEWS: Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth’s father Harry sadly passed away on Tuesday.

It is not yet clear if the Springbok captain will request to return to South Africa or participate in the Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.

An SA Rugby official told AFP that "Springbok management will leave it up to Eben whether he wants to return home immediately or lead the team on Saturday.

"Our understanding is that Eben is very emotional at the moment as he was extremely close to his father," he added.

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster said Thursday their thoughts were with South Africa's stand-in captain Eben Etzebeth after his father died in the lead-up to Saturday's match in Auckland.

Foster added: "It's tragic news for him. I'm sure they will deal with it in the right way."

Harry had been suffering from cancer.

He was one of nine children and a sportsman in his own right as a successful wrestler and cricket player.

His brother Clifford, or Cliffie as he was affectionately known, played lock and prop for Western Province in the late 1970s and early 1980s and he was also a prominent wrestler and won world titles in the over 60s categories.

All of our thoughts are with the Etzebeth family at this difficult time.

Additional reporting: AFP