Latest news with #Etzebeth
The Star
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Blow for Sharks as Eben Etzebeth ruled out of URC semi-final against Bulls
Springbok colossus Eben Etzebeth is out of Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Bulls and in a further setback, fellow Bok lock Jason Jenkins is also injured. Etzebeth and Jenkins were the starting second row for last week's dramatic quarter-final defeat of Munster in Durban, but both picked up injuries in the bruising encounter. The Sharks' lock pairing for the trip to Loftus Versfeld is Emile van Heerden and Corne Rahl. Etzebeth has had an injury-plagued season and his absence against the Bulls is unfortunate. The most capped Springbok of all time, Etzebeth's experience, inspiration and brute strength would have been a vital tool for the Sharks against the in-form Bulls pack. The 33-year-old missed five months of rugby because of a concussion injury and then picked up a hamstring injury at a Bok alignment camp in March. He has been excellent for the Sharks since making his comeback last month, earning two Player of the Match awards. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will captain the side in Etzebeth's absence. Kolisi is at No 8 and apart from the new second row, the pack is unchanged. Coach John Plumtree has also been able to field the same backline that played against Munster. There is a fresh backline face on the bench in the form of Jurenzo 'The Boogie Man' Julius. He is back from injury and replaces Francois Venter. The lock cover on the bench is Deon Slabbert, the 2m, 117kg former Pumas lock. Plumtree also has the option of moving flank Vincent Tshituka to lock during the game, and bringing on Phepsi Buthelezi. Sharks team 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids 22 Jurenzo Julius 23 Yaw Penxe.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Blow for Sharks as Eben Etzebeth ruled out of URC semi-final against Bulls
SPRINGBOK and Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out the much anticipated URC semi-final against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday. | BackpagePix Springbok colossus Eben Etzebeth is out of Saturday's United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Bulls and in a further setback, fellow Bok lock Jason Jenkins is also injured. Etzebeth and Jenkins were the starting second row for last week's dramatic quarter-final defeat of Munster in Durban, but both picked up injuries in the bruising encounter. The Sharks' lock pairing for the trip to Loftus Versfeld is Emile van Heerden and Corne Rahl. Etzebeth has had an injury-plagued season and his absence against the Bulls is unfortunate. The most capped Springbok of all time, Etzebeth's experience, inspiration and brute strength would have been a vital tool for the Sharks against the in-form Bulls pack. The 33-year-old missed five months of rugby because of a concussion injury and then picked up a hamstring injury at a Bok alignment camp in March. He has been excellent for the Sharks since making his comeback last month, earning two Player of the Match awards. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will captain the side in Etzebeth's absence. Kolisi is at No 8 and apart from the new second row, the pack is unchanged. Coach John Plumtree has also been able to field the same backline that played against Munster. There is a fresh backline face on the bench in the form of Jurenzo 'The Boogie Man' Julius. He is back from injury and replaces Francois Venter. The lock cover on the bench is Deon Slabbert, the 2m, 117kg former Pumas lock. Plumtree also has the option of moving flank Vincent Tshituka to lock during the game, and bringing on Phepsi Buthelezi. Sharks team 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi (captain) 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corne Rahl 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Deon Slabbert 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids 22 Jurenzo Julius 23 Yaw Penxe.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Etzebeth eager for URC knockouts after frustrating injury lay-off
Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth missed close to four months of rugby – and 13 URC matches – first due to a concussion and then a hamstring injury. Eben Etzebeth said it was frustrating being out of action for so long. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth had a frustrating injury lay-off that lasted close to four months, missing 13 United Rugby Championship matches this season. But he is happy to be back and feeling more like himself after completing an 80-minute performance. Etzebeth's December concussion kept him off the field for an unexpectedly long time (more than three months) due to recurring symptoms. Just as he was getting over that, he strained his hamstring during a running session at the Springbok alignment camp in March, which prolonged his return by a few more weeks. He finally returned against Edinburgh on 18 April, where he would have played a full 80 minutes if he hadn't received a yellow card for starting a scuffle. Etzebeth returned against Ospreys two weeks later, but appeared to hurt his knee, and was carted off the field within the first half hour. He appeared on crutches on the sideline for the rest of the match. Sharks coach John Plumtree quickly dispelled fears by revealing he thought it was just a haematoma, which it turned out to be. Etzebeth was frustrated Etzebeth returned for the Sharks' next game two weeks later, finally playing the full 80 minutes against Scarlets, and looking decent throughout. 'When you get a full game of rugby in, you really feel like you are back in the mix,' Etzebeth told media on Tuesday. After another two-week break, the Sharks are set to host Munster in their URC quarter-final this Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm). Etzebeth it had been a frustrating few months for him but it was a good time to return. 'It's weird to say that the body is quite fresh because there's the knockout stages and maximum three games left. 'With a concussion there's not really a timeline, it's how your symptoms are and how you respond to certain treatments. I think that was the frustrating part. Once or twice I thought I might be back and then more symptoms take a few more weeks off. 'Then I picked up a hamstring [injury] and had to sit out a bit more. But now happy to be back.'
SowetanLIVE
28-05-2025
- Sport
- SowetanLIVE
Etzebeth's return after concussion concerns a boost for Sharks, Boks
Forward Eben Etzebeth's return from injury comes at the perfect time for club and country with the Sharks competing in this weekend's United Rugby Championship quarterfinals and the Springboks embarking on a programme of 13 Tests this year. Etzebeth played his first full match in five months when the Sharks beat Scarlets two weeks ago to secure a top-four place in the URC regular season standings and a home game against Munster in the last eight in Durban on Saturday. There had been concerns about the 33-year-old's playing future when he was ruled out after suffering concussion in a win over Exeter Chiefs in the European Champions Cup in early December.
TimesLIVE
28-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Etzebeth's return after concussion concerns a boost for Sharks, Boks
Forward Eben Etzebeth's return from injury comes at the perfect time for club and country with the Sharks competing in this weekend's United Rugby Championship quarterfinals and the Springboks embarking on a programme of 13 Tests this year. Etzebeth played his first full match in five months when the Sharks beat Scarlets two weeks ago to secure a top-four place in the URC regular season standings and a home game against Munster in the last eight in Durban on Saturday. There had been concerns about the 33-year-old's playing future when he was ruled out after suffering concussion in a win over Exeter Chiefs in the European Champions Cup in early December. However, South Africa's most-capped international said his body was rested and fresh. 'It was obviously frustrating with the concussion,' he said in the build-up to the clash against Munster. 'There's not really a timeline on it, it's all about your symptoms and how you respond to certain treatments. So I'd think, 'Maybe I'll be back in a week's time', and then it's a bit longer.' 'And then I picked up a hamstring [injury] and had to sit out a bit more.' That injury came at a training camp with the Springboks and meant Etzebeth only made a return in mid-April with a handful of substitute appearances. There was more concern when a knock to his knee saw him go off after 28 minutes against the Ospreys at the start of the month but he made a quick recovery to play a full game on May 17. 'It was good to get that first 80 minutes against Scarlets under the belt,' he added. 'It's good when you play 20 here or 60 there, but when you finally get a full game, you really feel like you're back in the mix.' His return will come as a boost to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who plans to use matches in July against Italy and Georgia to blood younger players alongside the likes of double World Cup winner Etzebeth.
