Cape Town - Springbok captain Warren Whiteley was due to give a press conference in Pretoria on Monday ahead of the first Test against France this weekend.
Instead, he rushed off to hospital to be at his wife Felicity's side as she gave birth to baby Samuel.
It is Whiteley's first son, while the family already have a daughter, Ava, who is two-years-old.
The Golden Lions Rugby Union posted a congratulatory message on their Facebook page on Monday.
"Emirates Lions and Springbok captain Warren Whiteley and wife Felicity welcomed their baby boy Samuel into the world this morning. Congratulations from all of us at the Golden Lions Rugby Union. We hope he will be a blessing to you," it read.
It is the beginning of a big week for the 29-year-old.
On Saturday he will captain his country for the first time when the three-Test series against France gets under way in Pretoria.
Congrats to #Springbok captain@WarrenWhiteley and wife Felicity who welcomed baby Samuel to the family earlier today. #LoveRugby
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) June 5, 2017