Eben Fully-Charge For The Sharks Against Munster

Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth has admitted that being sidelined for four months was frustrating. His return at this crucial juncture of the season is a significant boost for the Durban-based side.

Furthermore, the experienced lock is making his comeback at an opportune time, ahead of the international season for the Springboks, who have several practice games before the Rugby Championship and their year-end tour to Europe.

The 33-year-old, a key player in the Springboks’ triumphs in the last two Rugby World Cups, sustained a concussion in the first round of the Champions Cup at Kings Park Stadium in Durban last December against Exeter Chiefs.

He made his return to the Durban-based side in April when they defeated Edinburgh in the Round of 16 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship away. Even in that game, Etzebeth, known for his physicality, spent 10 minutes in the sin bin after receiving a yellow card, but the Sharks still secured the win.

Etzebeth will captain the Sharks when they host Munster in their quarter-final clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Saturday [18:30].

Coach John Plumtree has made five changes to the squad that defeated Scarlets in the final week of VURC pool action, bringing in key players to battle against the former champions.

“It was frustrating, and concussion is always difficult,” said Etzebeth. “Because if you have a hamstring or calf injury, you can say four to six weeks [out], but with concussion, it’s all about the symptoms. There was a time when I thought I would be back [soon], but more symptoms meant more weeks, and it definitely was not ideal. Like I said, once you get that 80 minutes under your belt, you are a bit more positive; you feel you are in it. Hopefully, I can kick on from here and play a couple of games without any niggles or problems.”

The Sharks are in this stage of the United Rugby Championship for the first time, having won the Challenge Cup, the second-tier competition, last season.

After crashing out of the Champions Cup, the biggest club competition in Europe, and failing to defend their Challenge Cup title, they appear to have shifted their full focus to the URC this season.

They were atrocious last term in the URC, but they prioritized winning the Challenge Cup. This season, they seem to have prioritized the URC, despite injuries not making it easy for the Durban side.

“We know Munster are a quality side,” acknowledged Etzebeth, who has not lost a match for the Sharks this season.

“They have a history of playing well in knockout competitions. Two seasons ago, they went on to win the competition, winning two playoff matches away from home. So, we are very aware that they give their best even when they are away from home.

“They are a quality side, and if you want to look too much into past results, we came out on top. But it is a new game, just a weekend of rugby in a long time, and that won’t count at all,” Etzebeth added, when asked about the last time these two sides met.

The Sharks were the best-performing South African side in this competition, having won the Shield during the group stages.

They replaced the Blue Bulls, who reached the semi-final on Saturday after beating Edinburgh. If the Sharks win on Saturday, they will face the Bulls, who lost to the Glasgow Warriors in the final.

The Warriors are in the semi-finals after beating DHL Stormers on Friday.

Pic courtesy of Steve Haag