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Cape Town - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is still pondering over his captain for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
Regular captain Warren Whiteley was withdrawn from the Bok squad due to a groin injury, which will most likely keep him out of action for six more weeks.
Whiteley captained the Boks in the first two Tests against France in June but missed the final match in Johannesburg because of his groin problem, which also forced him to miss the rest of the Super Rugby campaign.
Eben Etzebeth captained the Boks in the final Test against France but it appears he is not a certainty to also lead the team in the Rugby Championship.
Coetzee told Netwerk24 that he is happy that there are a number of leaders in the current Bok setup.
He mentioned the likes of Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Elton Jantjies, Beast Mtawarira, Jaco Kriel, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff and Jan Serfontein.
“We’ll have to make sure that the player who is captain is well-equipped and receives the necessary assistance from the team," Coetzee said.
Coetzee also said the players underwent psychometric tests to determine a suitable leader.
“We also looked at it scientifically. You have strategic thinkers and you have men who can keep the team together...”
The Springboks open their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina in Port Elizabeth on August 19.
Springbok squad:
Forwards (19)
Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Pieter-Steph du Toit (all Stormers), Tendai Mtawarira, Coenie Oosthuizen, Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Chiliboy Ralepelle (all Sharks), Lizo Gqoboka, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane (all Bulls), Jaco Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert (all Lions), Uzair Cassiem, Oupa Mohoje (both Cheetahs)
Backs (15)
Warrick Gelant, Jesse Kriel, Rudy Paige, Handre Pollard, Jan Serfontein (all Bulls), Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Elton Jantjies, Courtnall Skosan (all Lions), Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds (both Stormers), Raymond Rhule, Francois Venter (both Cheetahs), Curwin Bosch (Sharks), Francois Hougaard (Worcester/ENG)
