Eben Etzebeth is one of the Sharks’ biggest stars. (Photo: Romain Perrocheau/AFP.)
One swallow doesn’t mean summer is on its way. Similarly, Eben Etzebeth’s presence does not necessarily mean that his team will win a rugby match.
But hey, the fire eater lock makes a huge difference on the playing field!
The Sharks are currently sweating over their Springbok star’s injury after he was not part of the action at all in the second half of their match against Munster.
It is true that the Durbanites beat the Irish club 50-35, but with Toulouse awaiting in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, Neil Powell will be hoping that Etzebeth will give the Sharks more bite in France.
In addition, Emile van Heerden, who ranked as Etzebeth’s replacement in the lineup, also hurt his shoulder.
According to Powell, the severity of the players’ injuries will be analyzed to determine whether they will be ready for the Toulouse duel.
“We hope that they will be okay because they are very important links in the group,” said the Sharks’ director of rugby.
But according to the belt telegrams doing the rounds there is a possibility that SA Rugby’s player of the year cannot recover from the injury in time.
It will definitely be a setback for the Sharks, because Etzebeth’s value to the team can be measured in gold.
The lock made his international debut in 2012 against England in Durban and since then he has represented the Springboks in more than 100 tests.
These days he is also delivering standout performances for the Sharks – one will not simply forget his opportunistic try against Harlequins or his head-upside rush against Munster.
Taking on Toulouse away from home without Etzebeth is like driving to the Kalahari without enough water: Not fun at all.
???? @EbenEtzebeth ???? RG Snyman ????
It’s a clash of the titans in Durban and first blood goes to Etzebeth as he rides a challenge from Snyman to score @SharksRugby‘s second try ????#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/o24GPzIB8d
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) April 1, 2023
