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Etzebeth rumours rubbished as Bok returns in 28-man Sharks touring squad

Eben Etzebeth of South Africa during the players warm up ahead of the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between Wales and South Africa at Principality Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Eben Etzebeth has been named in the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ 28-man squad for their upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) matches in Scotland and Ireland.

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His inclusion appears to rubbish recent speculation in South Africa that the Springbok lock might be forced into retirement due to repeatd injuries.

The towering Springbok enforcer hasn’t played since the Sharks beat the Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup back in December.

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Sharks head coach John Plumtree confirmed Etzebeth’s availability alongside fellow returning Springboks Grant Williams, Lukhanyo Am, and Aphelele Fassi.

All four had missed sections of the season while nursing various injuries. The Sharks hope their restored roster will bolster a push for a top-four finish in the URC standings.

Etzebeth’s comeback coincides with a crucial two-match run for the Durban-based side. They first travel to Scotland to face Edinburgh at Hive Stadium on Friday night (8.30pm kick-off).

A trip to Ireland follows as the Sharks prepare to meet Ulster in what will be their last away game before closing out the regular season with two home fixtures at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

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Plumtree’s squad includes 16 forwards and 12 backs.

The Sharks aim to improve their chances of hosting key playoff matches later in the URC season. Edinburgh sit eighth on the table, with Ulster currently sixth.

FORWARDS
Bongi Mbonambi
Eben Etzebeth
Emile van Heerden
Ethan Bester
Fezokuhle Mbatha
Hanro Jacobs
James Venter
Jason Jenkins
Manu Tshituka
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Ox Nche
Phepsi Buthelezi
Ruan Dreyer
Siya Kolisi
Vincent Koch
Vincent Tshituka

BACKS
Andre Esterhuizen
Aphelele Fassi
Bradley Davids
Ethan Hooker
Grant Williams
Jaden Hendrikse
Jordan Hendrikse
Jurenzo Julius
Lukhanyo Am
Makazole Mapimpi
Siya Masuku
Yaw Penxe

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Flankly 1 hour ago
Late Makazole Mapimpi try earns the Sharks win away to Edinburgh

Jake White described this as the strongest Sharks lineup ever. There is no doubt that it is at least an impressive roster. They did win, which is obviously an achievement against a good Edinburgh side. However …


For much of the first half Edinburgh seemed easily able to create 2 on 1 opportunities on both wings, with the defensive wingers biting in on the inside runner and cover defence being AWOL. Conversely the Sharks showed little ability to get behind the Edinburgh defensive line, with the sole exception of a nicely-exploited Am mismatch against a second row (which led to the Fassi try).


In general the Sharks, with their full complement of Bok firepower, do not look that dangerous in attack, and while tackling was good on the whole and goal line defence was impressive at times, they were exhibiting surprising breakdowns in open play defensive structures.


Also, the Sharks continue to be inaccurate, with material impact on the scoreboard. Missing two very kickable penalties is not the way to be the best. It looked to me like the Sharks contestable kicks were not well enough executed, and were too hard to recover.


Not sure what the running attack was trying to do, but my guess is that they were trying to pull off a Harlequins-style bash-and-offload game off of 12 (Esterhuizen). That’s not a terrible idea with the personnel available, but it would require creativity and a precision on second phase that was not in evidence.


Lastly, you have to have better discipline. It’s great that the team can cope with a 13 vs 14 period (of almost 10 minutes), but smart teams a avoid cards.


Having said that it was great to see the win. I thought that Edinburgh were cynical and niggly. Always hanging around on the wrong side of the breakdown, lots of intentional obstruction, illegal dummying at the base of the ruck, etc. They played a dirty game and the ref tolerated it. Always good to see that not succeed.


Overall the “best Sharks lineup ever” scraped the win, but under-performed their Bok-laden potential. Again.

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