South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth in action during the Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland, in Marseille, southern France, 10 September 2023. Photo: EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Springboks offer promising Eben Etzebeth update
Springbok management have provided a good news update on Sunday with Eben Etzebeth set to be fit to face Ireland.
South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth in action during the Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool B match between South Africa and Scotland, in Marseille, southern France, 10 September 2023. Photo: EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
The Springboks are confident that Eben Etzebeth will soon return to influence their Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick provided a promising update ahead of the fixture against Romania.
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Eben Etzebeth update
While Stick did not claim that Etzebeth would be fit to face Ireland he would reveal that he had returned to managed training.
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“Eben was busy in the gym earlier today,” Stick said. “Last week he did one or two full sessions with the team.
“I don’t think it’s a serious injury. We just have to manage him. He’s a few days away from being fully fit,” Stick added.
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Stick also chimed in on the other burning question facing Springbok fans. The matter of who will replace injured Malcolm Marx in the squad.
Will Handre Pollard return
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There is a school of thought that star flyhalf Handre Pollard will be called into the squad but Stick would not comment on that probability.
“We haven’t made any decision yet, maybe something will come after this game against Romania,” Stick said. “The key thing is that we just wanted to focus on the Romania game.
“We watched him (Pollard) yesterday, he had a good half an hour. Also, we have got a guy like (specialist hooker) Joseph Dweba who’s currently back in South Africa and in full shape.
“We have options and will look at it on Monday again.”
The Springboks face Romania today before taking on Ireland next Saturday and rounding off their Pool B campaign against Tonga on Sunday 1 October.
SHOULD THE SPRINGBOKS CALL UP HANDRE POLLARD?
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