‘I am a bit fresher, and my body is feeling good’: Eben Etzebeth puts injury woes behind him to get set for Springbok Tests

After a frustrating United Rugby Championship campaign, where injuries derailed his participation in crucial matches for the Sharks – including the semi-final against the Bulls – Eben Etzebeth is ready to put all his energy into the Springboks’ season.

The centurion played a small part in the URC after a concussion and recurring symptoms kept him on the sidelines for a couple of months, before a calf strain and a knock kept him out of other games.

The Sharks bowed out at the semi-final stage at Loftus Versfeld, and although he could not be part of the match, Etzebeth is fired up to get the international season going.

He says he is cleared of the concussions, and will approach the international season fresh and injury-free.

“I’ve recovered from everything... it’s all in the past," the 33-year-old said this week.

“I didn’t have a good run with the Sharks, with an injury and a concussion that kept me out for about four-and-a-half months, which wasn’t ideal.

“However, I recovered and got a few games with the Sharks at the back-end of the season.

“Then, I suffered a small setback at training just before the semi-final, which was a minor one.

“I am fully back in training, and excited for the Springbok season ahead.”

Etzebeth said he looked at his injuries of the last few months positively, without needing to focus on anything negative.

He added that it wasn’t ideal that he did not play as much rugby for the Sharks as he had wanted, but at the end of the day, he could rest his body a bit more and recover properly.

The towering lock also has a young family, and was able to spend time with them before the busy Test season.

“When you play week in and week out, you get battered and bruised, and you only recover from it on a Tuesday.

“I am a bit fresher, and my body is feeling good. I spent time with my family, but didn’t do nothing.

“You still do rehab and work on maybe a shoulder that has been niggling you in the past... you get that back to full strength.

“Like that, you get your entire body up to speed and strong enough to play again.

“Yes, I might not be match-sharp, but there have been plenty of other positives. Hopefully, those (niggles) don’t affect me in the upcoming months.”

He is eager to be involved in the Boks’ first match against the Barbarians next Saturday in Cape Town.

They take on the invitational side ahead of double Tests against Italy and a one-off against Georgia in the mid-year matches.

While they can’t do too much analysis on the Baabaas because they don’t know what to expect, Etzebeth believes that they will face a strong side – which will be coached by Robbie Deans and will include the likes of Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Sam Cane – eager to beat the world champions.

“Everyone wants to play (against the Barbarians). After finishing on a high last year, you want to be involved in the first (Springbok) match of the new season,” the Bok No 4 said.

“It will be an exciting game. The Barbarians have a good time during the week, but on Saturday, they pitch up.

“A few of them will play their final international game, and they will want to prove something against the Springboks.”