Coach John Plumtree has revealed that Eben Etzebeth’s omission from this week’s Sharks squad is due to an injury he picked up during the Springbok alignment camp.
While Bok centre Andre Esterhuizen is set to return from injury off the bench against Zebre at Kings Park on Saturday, lock Eben Etzebeth and fullback Aphelele Fassi remain sidelined.
Scrumhalf Grant Williams was also absent from the Sharks 23 announced on Friday.
TEAM: Bok giant back for Sharks
Etzebeth has been out of action since December due to recurring concussion symptoms, but that’s not the reason for his absence this week.
“Eben strained a hamstring in a running block [during the Springbok alignment camp] in Cape Town,” Plumtree revealed on Friday. “That set him back a couple weeks, but from a concussion point of view, he’s in a good place now.
“Fassi is about three weeks away [from returning to play]. He will start integrating with the team at training soon,” the coach added.
“Grant has an issue with his neck, one of his joints, and it should only be two or three weeks [out]. He sort of played with it during the Lions ‘series’ and before that. It’s not significant but it needs some time away from any contact.”
MORE: Plum — Siya has the hands to play 8
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
