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Springbok locks Eben Etzebeth and Jean Kleyn have much respect for each other, but only one will leave the field happy on Saturday.
Springbok locks Eben Etzebeth and Jean Kleyn will compete against each other in the URC quarter-finals. Pictures: Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images and Warren Little/Getty Images
Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth said he looks forward to a “positive” word with fellow Springbok lock Jean Kleyn in the ruck when their teams clash in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals.
The Sharks host Kleyn’s Munster at Kings Park on Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm) with the victors to face the winner between the Bulls and Edinburgh either at Loftus, if the Bulls progress, or at Kings Park Stadium if Edinburgh do, in the semi-finals the following weekend.
The number four locks have faced each other only a limited number of times in competitive rugby, though they have trained together for the Springboks and the Stormers. Etzebeth and Kleyn also featured in both of the Springbok alignment camps held so far this year.
‘Solid player for Munster’
When Etzebeth was in the running for the World Rugby Player of the Year award, Kleyn described his counterpart as “by far the most dominant tighthead lock to have probably played the game in the last 10 or 15 years”.
Now ahead of their URC quarter-final, Etzebeth said it was always good to go up against a fellow Springbok.
“I am sure there will be once or twice we will probably get each other in a ruck and have something to say to each other in a positive way,” the Sharks captain smiled.
“He’s a good man, a good, solid player for Munster, and I am looking forward to going up against him.”
Sharks do not have an easy game
The Sharks ended the league phase with an impressive third-place finish despite eight tight wins. It was their highest finish and they will also want to push on after not progressing further than the quarter-finals since South African teams joined the URC in the 2021/22 season.
Etzebeth said the advantage of a home quarter-final – another first for the Durban side – will do them good, but they also know Munster are strong away from home.
The Irish side have won the URC in it’s current format once, and in its previous format three times.
Their URC win came in 2022/23 when they won all three knockout games away from home. These came against Glasgow in the quarter-final, Leinster in the semi-final and Stormers in the final (score 19–14).
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