The Sharks suffered an injury scare this past weekend when Eben Etzebeth was forced to leave the field shortly before half-time against the Stormers, visibly in discomfort and unable to run.
After the match, coach JP Pietersen revealed that the big lock was in a fair bit of pain, and that it appeared to be a knee injury.
The Sharks have now confirmed that Etzebeth will not form part of the 28-man squad that leaves this week for his team’s three overseas matches taking place in France, Wales and Ireland over the next three weekends.
In a statement, the Durban club revealed that it was a “lower limb injury” and that they were now “awaiting a further medical examination to determine the extent of the injury”.
However, it does appear certain that the veteran lock will be set for another spell on the sidelines, which comes not long after a series of concussion and injury issues forced him out of action for the first half of the year.
Eben Etzebeth adds to unfortunate Sharks injury list
Besides Etzebeth, other players on the Sharks injury list include Makazole Mapimpi (hamstring injury), Phepsi Buthelezi (shoulder injury), Vusi Moyo (shoulder injury), Fez Mbatha (lower limb injury), Hendre Stassen (tendon injury) and Yaw Penxe (peck injury).
Ahead of the team’s tour overseas, the Sharks stated: “With the usual attrition rate associated with a highly competitive tour such as this, there will be reinforcements sent over as the tour goes on, including the Sharks’ Springboks, who are on mandatory rest after a grueling few months of rugby.”
Pietersen will select his Challenge Cup team from the 17 forwards and 11 backline players named for Saturday’s Group Three clash with Lyon at the 35 000-seater Stade de Gerland on Saturday.
Lyon, the Challenge Cup champions in 2022 currently sitting in eighth place on the Top 14 log after six rounds, host the 2024 champions, the Sharks on Saturday at 14:00.
Following this match, the Durban side head to Wales to take on Cardiff in the URC, followed by a trip to Ireland to take on ninth-placed Munster at the end of October to conclude the tour.
HOW THE SQUAD LOOKS
FORWARDS
Cameron Dawson
Deon Slabbert
Eduan Swart
Emile van Heerden
Esethu Mnebelele
Ethan Bester
Hanro Jacobs
Jason Jenkins
Manu Tshituka
Matt Romao
Nemo Roelofse
Nick Hatton
Phatu Ganyane
Stephan Lewies
Tinotenda Mavesere
Vincent Koch
Vincent Tshituka
BACKS
Bradley Davids
Gianni Lombard
Ivan van Zyl
Jaco Williams
Jaden Hendrikse
Jordan Hendrikse
Jurenzo Julius
Litelihle Bester
Murray Koster
Suleiman Hartzenberg
Zekhethelo Siyaya
