Etzebeth injury ‘not serious’, but Bok lock will miss Toulouse clash

This past weekend, Etzebeth appeared to have picked up a knock in the first half of the Sharks’ clash against Munster. Although the powerful lock played until the half-time break, he then failed to return to the field in the second half.

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According to IOL Sport, the injury is not too serious, but it has ruled him out of this weekend’s all-important Champions Cup clash in what will come as another blow to the Sharks.

Sharks will have to make some key squad changes in the absence of Etzebeth

With young Emile van Heerden also injured, the Sharks are likely to move Vincent Tshituka to lock, with Ruben van Heerden also out injured along with Le Roux Roets.

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The team is already without first-choice scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who suffered a serious shoulder injury that has required surgery, and which will see him sidelined for at least 10 weeks.

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Hendrikse, who has risen to second-choice scurmhalf in the Springboks’ pecking order behind only Faf de Klerk, now also face the very real possibility of missing South Africa’s Rugby Championship campaign.

Though it is expected what he would make a full recovery before the World Cup, it’s a an unfortunate setback for him to be sidelined for key matches in the build-up to the global showpiece.

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Meanwhile, centre Lukhanyo Am says the Sharks have learnt from the Bulls’ mistakes ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against Toulouse.

“I thought the Bulls did really well until the 50th minute of that game on Sunday and what cost them was the penalty count,” he said.

“All South African teams like the confrontational and physical side of things, and if we bring that against a side like Toulouse, who have a big pack, it will give us confidence. But we need to have good discipline to minimise their opportunities to get into our 22. That is what cost the Bulls on Sunday.”