Eben Etzebeth to take three-month break from rugby

Planet Rugby

Toulon have revealed that Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will take a three-month break from the game due to concussion. 

This, after he suffered his third concussion of 2021 during the Boks’ Test defeat against England at Twickenham last weekend.

The Top 14 club confirmed the news via a press statement on their official website on Friday afternoon.

“In the Autumn Nations Series match between England and the Springboks last weekend, Rugby Club Toulonnais’ South African second-row Eben Etzebeth suffered a third concussion in a year,” read the statement.

Adhering to concussion management protocol

“After specialist advice and in accordance with the concussion management protocol of the National Rugby League, the player must observe a three-month break.

“Rugby Club Toulonnais wishes Eben Etzebeth a speedy recovery.”

Etzebeth’s break from the game could be a blessing in disguise as he played in 12 out of 13 of South Africa’s Tests in 2021.

Of those, he featured in all three Tests during the British and Irish Lions series, both Rugby Championship encounters against the All Blacks as well as all three of the recent Autumn Nations Series fixtures against Wales, Scotland and England.