Etzebeth eager for URC knockouts after frustrating injury lay-off

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.”