This was the scuffle that led to Eben Etzebeth being sent off in the Springboks' Test against Wales in Cardiff. The Bok lock is serving the last week of his 12-week ban before returning to rugby on Good Friday.
Image: AFP
The Sharks are getting a timely injection of experience and quality for the defining period of the season when Eben Etzebeth returns from a long suspension next weekend.
Etzebeth was banned for 12 weeks after being red-carded for eye-gouging Wales flank Alex Mann in the final moments of the Springboks’ 73-0 win in Cardiff in their final Autumn Series Test last November.
Afterwards, in a heartfelt Instagram post, Etzebeth made it clear that he was not claiming innocence but felt compelled to apologise to the South African public and explain his actions. He also expressed regret at the example his behaviour could have set for young players.
“I accept guilt. I made a mistake and I’m willing to serve a suspension which I deserve,” Etzebeth wrote at the time.
This week is the last of the 12, with Etzebeth still not available for the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship (URC) match against Cardiff on Friday night. However, he is set to make his return against Connacht in Ireland on Good Friday, April 3 for their EPCR Challenge Cup round-of-16 clash.
The timing could not be more clinical. As the URC enters its final, frantic stretch, the Sharks find themselves fighting a war on two fronts for a place in next season’s Champions Cup. With two paths to Europe’s top table still open — securing a top-eight finish in the URC or lifting the Challenge Cup trophy — the return of one of the world’s premier locks provides a psychological and physical boost.
During his absence, the likes of Emile van Heerden and Jason Jenkins have stepped up admirably, with Van Heerden in particular earning plaudits for running the Durban side’s lineouts against Munster with aplomb.
Earlier this week, Van Heerden says Etzebeth has helped him over the last four months, with the most-capped Springbok of all time playing a mentorship role during his time on the sidelines.
But now the time has come for Etzebeth to do what he does best … bringing the heat and athleticism to the pack. For a team hunting a play-off berth, having the double World Cup winner back in the engine room is akin to finding a R100 note in your cupboard the day before pay day.
Etzebeth will feel like a new signing, and will definitely boost their forward stocks ahead of a tough period, which may include a possible nine matches between now and the end of the season.
The 11th-placed Sharks have little room for error in the URC run-in, as they probably have to win four of their last five matches to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals. They also have to win another four matches in the Challenge Cup if they want to lift the trophy.
New Sharks coach JP Pietersen will be hoping his star forward can hit the ground running from next week and make up the time he lost since the end of November.