Etzebeth slams ‘nasty messages’ from Bok fans

Springbok lock and stand-in skipper Eben Etzebeth has spoken out against the Springbok supporters who have been targeting the players’ wives and girlfriends as a result of the 57-0 loss to the All Blacks in Albany on Saturday.

The Boks landed in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon and Etzebeth said some of their partners had been subjected to ‘nasty messages’.

"I can understand people being upset with us. They're allowed to be, but keep our families out of it," Etzebeth told Netwerk24.com.

"There are some terrible people out there, saying some nasty things to our wives and girlfriends, and that's not nice to hear."

The 25-year-old said the team did receive a warm welcome at the airport, but they also received plenty of backlash from the general public.

"There are still a few people that wanted to take pictures with us and that applauded us when we got home. But, yes, there were plenty of people that were extremely negative. We understand that, but we always give our all on the pitch."