Springbok great Eben Etzebeth sidelined for ‘a few weeks’ after knee surgery

Sharks head coach John Plumtree confirmed that Springboks stalwart Eben Etzebeth will be facing a period on the sidelines after recently undergoing knee surgery.

The injury news comes at a tricky period for the Sharks who lie at the bottom of the United Rugby Championship table just around the halfway point of the tournament.

Ahead of the Durbanites is a gruelling Coastal Derby against the Stormers then a trip to the Lions before hosting Ulster and Edinburgh.

Balancing act

Etzebeth’s injury may well have coincided with the mandatory Springboks rest period that Plumtree and other locally-based coaches will have to navigate but the good news for the Sharks is that Bongi Mbonambi is nearing his return.

“It’s a long season and I feel like I’ve been handicapped by the fact that I’ve had a lot of injuries … it’s Bongi’s first game coming up and he’s our No 1 hooker,” Plumtree told reporters.

“Eben Etzebeth has started playing and now had a knee operation so he’ll only be back in a few weeks.

“So it’s been a bit frustrating for me that I haven’t been able to put out the kind of pack I’ve wanted to. If I put out the pack that I’ve wanted to, it makes the bench a lot stronger, with fresh legs coming off the bench after 60 minutes.”

Long season

Plumtree was reluctant to reveal which Springboks will be rested only revealing that skipper Lukhanyo Am will be playing this weekend.

“What’s today? I’ll name the team on Friday don’t I, or Thursday? I’m giving you a heads-up on the team a little early but I will say there are Springboks rested and there are Springboks still injured.

“Lukhanyo is playing, that’s why he is here otherwise he’ll probably be on holiday. It’s not ideal but we understand the importance of it. These boys have got a long season of playing northern hemisphere rugby and southern hemisphere rugby, which is crazy isn’t it?

“Until the players are committed to one hemisphere there’ll be a lot of disruption [in the interim], and hopefully that will happen over the next couple of years.”

The clash against the Stormers is a big one and the Sharks are hosting their ‘Sharks Fest’ that includes other festivities such as a concert in and around the game.

They will be desperate to win against the Stormers who will be likely without key Springbok trio Deon Fourie, Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse who should be rested.

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