The father of stand-in Springboks captain Eben Etzebeth has died, four days before his son is due to lead South Africa in a Rugby Championship match in New Zealand.
Lock Etzebeth is standing in as skipper because flanker Siya Kolisi is injured and will not be available to play until August, a month before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in France.
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An SA Rugby official told AFP that "Springbok management will leave it up to Eben whether he wants to return home immediately or lead the team on Saturday.
"Our understanding is that Eben is very emotional at the moment as he was extremely close to his father," he added.
Should Etzebeth decide to play for the World Cup title-holders it will be his first match since suffering a shoulder injury three months ago.
Were he to miss the match in one of the great rugby rivalries, RG Snyman could be promoted from the bench with Jean Kleyn taking his place among the substitutes.
The Rugby Championship has been reduced to three matchdays this season because of the World Cup, and the second-round Test in Auckland is considered a probable title decider.
Both teams were impressive winners last weekend with South Africa hammering Australia 43-12 in Pretoria and New Zealand trouncing Argentina 41-12 in Mendoza.
An Etzebeth family member confirmed that Harry Etzebeth died on Tuesday night, but did not give further details. He had been suffering from cancer.
It's been 86 years and nine Tests since South Africa last won in Auckland, where they suffered a 57-0 drubbing to New Zealand in 2017.
That score remains the biggest margin in Tests between the rugby powerhouses.
Scrumhalf Faf De Klerk feels the Springboks have since won back respect from New Zealand's rugby public, especially after a thrilling 36-34 win over the All Blacks in Wellington in 2018, the year before South Africa lifted the World Cup.
"Speaking to the fans over here and other players, I think there is a respect," he told reporters in Auckland.
"Look, a few years ago we weren't up to the standard in the way we played at all.
"Getting a lot of points put up against you isn't going to warrant respect.
"But the way the boys played last week shows there is something about us."
