Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth

Eben Etzebeth believes he will recover from his shoulder injury in time to be available for Springbok selection for the Rugby Championship. Photo: Gallo Images.

Eben Etzebeth gives Springboks boost with injury update

Eben Etzebeth believes he will recover from his shoulder injury in time to be available for Springbok selection for the Rugby Championship.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth

Eben Etzebeth believes he will recover from his shoulder injury in time to be available for Springbok selection for the Rugby Championship. Photo: Gallo Images.

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth believes he will recover from his shoulder injury in time to be available for selection in the Rugby Championship opener against Australia in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 July.

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Etzebeth was hurt in the Sharks’ Champions Cup last-16 win against Munster in Durban and was given an initial estimate of between 14-16 weeks on the sidelines.

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However, speaking to Sunday newspaper Rapport, SA Rugby’s 2022 Player of the Year gave a more positive update on his recovery.

“I aim to be ready for the Rugby Championship, but then everything will have to go well, which I believe will happen,” Etzebeth said.

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The Springboks open their 2023 Test schedule against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on 8 July, before facing the All Blacks in Auckland on 15 July and finishing the shortened Rugby Championship against Argentina in Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 29 July.

The Springboks will name their final 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France on 8 August.

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SPRINGBOKS 2023 FIXTURES

Rugby Championship

8 July: Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

✈ 15 July: South Africa vs New Zealand (Mount Smart, Auckland)

29 July: Springboks vs Argentina (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)

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Rugby World Cup warm-ups

✈ 5 August: South Africa vs Argentina (Vélez Stadium, Buenos Aires)

✈ 19 August: South Africa vs Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)

✈ 25 August: Springbok vs New Zealand (Twickenham Stadium, London)

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Rugby World Cup

✈ 10 September: South Africa vs Scotland (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille) 

✈ 17 September: Springbok vs Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux) 

✈ 23 September: South Africa vs Ireland (Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Paris) 

✈ 1 October: South Africa vs Tonga (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)

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