Boks confirm Eben Etzebeth will play: 'We're there for each other'

After being named as the stand-in skipper for the injured Siya Kolisi, the towering lock got the news that his father Harry, who had been battling illness, passed away on Tuesday night. Etzebeth was very close to his father and his participation in this weekend's clash was naturally thrown in doubt.

Last year, the Bok great specifically requested to play against Wales in Bloemfontein so that he could share his 100th appearance in Cape Town a week later with his dad, who was unable to travel.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the news had hit the entire team hard but that they had come together as a family to support Etzebeth, who had made the choice to play this weekend.

"I think we've prepared the best possible way that we can prepare, playing a big game against the All Blacks away from home in Auckland," Stick said when asked how the news of Etzebeth's loss affected the team this week. "Eben's loss is also our loss, because we are a family. It's very sad, but we are with him.

"There's one thing about us as a team, we're always there for each other through tough times, you know, and I know the focus this week is about him and his dad in our camp."

Stick also revealed to reporters that the Boks were dealing with a double loss as scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse's father also passed away late last month.

"In our camp we've also lost Jaden's dad just before we left South Africa," he said. "[But] we're always there to support the guys as a team."

Etzebeth's participation is a huge boost for the Boks who have come to rely heavily on the world-class lock since his debut in 2012.

To captain your country against the All Blacks is a massive honour and a special occasion, and no doubt it will be a particularly emotional one for Etzebeth.

All Blacks skipper Sam Cane also acknowledged what has been a difficult week and offered condolences to the South African on behalf of the New Zealand team.

"It's been a pretty tough week for him and his family. As a team, we send our condolences to the Etzebeth family," Cane told reporters.

"It must be pretty tough for him being on the other side of the world.

"We'll see each other at the coin toss and then do battle on the field."