- The Hollywoodbets Sharks confirmed Eben Etzebeth's status after the Springbok lock left their URC match against the Stormers with a suspected knee injury
- Etzebeth is one of six players set to join the touring squad during the second week of the Sharks' three-match European trip
- The 34-year-old has been carrying a heavy workload following a demanding international schedule with the Springboks
The Hollywoodbets Sharks have confirmed that Eben Etzebeth will not travel with their initial touring party to Europe but is expected to link up with the squad during the second week of their three-match trip.
The Sharks named a 28-man group on Wednesday for their Challenge Cup fixture against Lyon, followed by away United Rugby Championship matches against Cardiff and Munster.
Etzebeth was absent from that group after sustaining a lower limb injury during last Saturday's 39-22 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town, where he departed in the first half with what appeared to be a knee concern and was listed as awaiting further medical assessment.
Etzebeth to Arrive Alongside Five Other Springboks
The Durban franchise later announced via social media that the 147-cap lock would join the touring squad in week two, alongside André Esterhuizen, Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit and Edwill van der Merwe. The six players will miss the encounter with Lyon on Saturday but are scheduled to be available for the Cardiff and Munster fixtures.
The news that Etzebeth will travel at all offers some reassurance regarding the severity of his injury, though the Sharks have not yet issued a formal medical update and his participation in the later matches remains subject to his condition.
Heavy Workload Behind Etzebeth's Absence
The 34-year-old has had a particularly demanding few weeks, having featured prominently during Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series against New Zealand. He was one of just two Sharks players to start the fourth Test against the All Blacks before lining up for the Springboks against Australia in Perth a fortnight later.
The remaining five Springbok members of the touring group had already been given scheduled rest following that international window, making Etzebeth's period of recovery similarly warranted.
Head coach JP Pietersen will assemble his matchday squad for the Lyon fixture from the original 28 travelling players, before the six reinforcements arrive ahead of the Cardiff and Munster legs of the tour. The Sharks are currently fifth in the URC standings.
Source: Briefly News
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