PICTURES | Springboks celebrate Etzebeth's 100, honour Professors Gray and Bekker

The Springboks on Friday honoured leading Sisonke Covid-19 trial principal investigators, Professors Glenda Gray and Linda-Gail Bekker, for their commitment to fighting the pandemic and assisting South African sport through the height of the crisis by including them in the traditional pre-match team photo in Cape Town.

Professor Gray, the president of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and Professor Bekker, Executive Director at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, were the principal investigators of the South Africa's Phase Three B Sisonke study and played a vital role in ensuring that the Springboks were able to participate in their triumphant 2-1 British & Irish Lions series victory in August 2021.

It was also a special photo session for Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth and hooker Bongi Mbonambi. Etzebeth will play his 100th Test against Wales on Saturday and Mbonambi his 50th.

Earlier on Friday, the Springboks travelled from Hermanus - where they trained during the week - to Cape Town where they had their captain's run ahead of the match.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber expressed his gratitude to Gray and Bekker for assisting the team in the period before their three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions last season.

"The Lions series was vital for the team after a hiatus from rugby in the 2020 season and few months in the 2021 season, and we are delighted to pay tribute to them not only for assisting the team but also for their massive contribution to South Africa in fighting the pandemic."

Nienaber continued: "The pre-match photograph is a very special occasion for the match-day squad and to have Professor Gray and Professor Bekker join us is a small gesture to show how much we appreciate their