Readers voted for the man to lead the Springboks to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the absence of injured captain Siya Kolisi.
Kolisi’s participation in this year’s World Cup is in jeopardy after scans on the Springbok skipper’s injured knee revealed the worst.
MORE: Siya’s World Cup in doubt
He is now in a race against time as he considers whether or not to undergo surgery, which would certainly rule him out of the tournament in France.
In a SARugbymag.co.za poll, Eben Etzebeth won the vote to captain the Springboks should Kolisi be unavailable. The Springbok centurion, who earned 30% of votes, won his 100th Test cap against Wales in Cape Town in 2022 and previously led the team in 2017. Etzebeth is currently recovering from a shoulder injury but is confident of recovering in time for the start of the Rugby Championship.
Veteran No 8 Duane Vermeulen was the next favourite, with 22% of the vote, followed by fellow Bok vice-captains Lukhanyo Am (16,5%) and Handre Pollard (16,2%). DHL Stormers captain and Bok loosehead Steven Kitshoff was also in the race with 13% of votes.
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