Bok camp rallies behind Eben, Jaden ahead of All Blacks clash: 'We're a family,' says Stick

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said Eben Etzebeth's loss is something they all felt as they head into Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand in Auckland.

Etzebeth's father, Harry, passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

Etzebeth is the second Springbok player to have lost a parent in recent weeks.

Halfback Jaden Hendrikse, who is the elder brother of Lions pivot Jordan, lost their father Brian recently.

READ | 'It was a difficult night,' says Paige as Boks brace for Auckland examination

Jaden left the Bok camp ahead of last week's Test against the Wallabies in Pretoria and hasn't been part of the squad.

Etzebeth remained in New Zealand with the team and will be leading them out at the Mount Smart Stadium in what will be the Springboks' first Test in Auckland in six years.

Stick said that, as a team, they've bound together and looked after their brothers in their time of need and, if there's a player who carried his heart on his sleeve in terms of playing on to honour his father's memory, it was Etzebeth.

New Zealand

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa'i, 20 Dalton Papali'i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Braydon Ennor, 23 Caleb Clarke

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Frans