Sharks and Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth.
Image: BackpagePix
Eben Etzebeth’s season goes from bad to worse with the revelation that he is out of rugby for two months with a hip injury.
The Bok bruiser was conspicuous by his absence from the Sharks tour squad announced on Tuesday for their United Rugby Championship games away to the Ospreys (on Saturday) and Edinburgh (next week).
A Sharks spokesperson has confirmed to Independent Media that Etzebeth suffered the hip injury playing against Connacht on April 3 in a Challenge Cup fixture. That was the 34-year-old’s comeback match after a 12—match suspension for eye-gouging a Welsh player in the Springboks’ last fixture of 2025, in Cardiff on November 29.
The Sharks are in a struggle to make the URC top eight (they are currently tenth) with four rounds to go, and the return of the inspirational Springbok was seen as key to their aspirations.
This injury effectively ends Etzebeth’s season with the Durbanites, and his next goal will be to get fit for the Springbok season that gets underway on July 4, against England in Johannesburg.
Compounding this bad news for the Sharks is the understanding that fellow Boks Bongi Mbonambi, Grant Williams, and Jordan Hendrikse will also play no further part in the URC because of injury.
Better news for Sharks coach JP Pietersen is that Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has travelled to Swansea.
Kolisi has not featured since late January because of a calf injury.
Captain André Esterhuizen is one of several influential players to return after being rested against Connacht.
Pietersen has also picked SA Schools fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya in the touring party, while back from injury is flank Manu Tshituka.
Sharks squad
Backs – Ross Braude, Bradley Davids, André Esterhuizen (c), Jaden Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Le Roux Malan, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Jean Smith, Zekhethelo Siyaya, Edwill van der Merwe.
Forwards – Phepsi Buthelezi, Phatu Ganyane, Nick Hatton, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Fez Mbatha, Ox Nché, Corné Rahl, Eduan Swart, Manu Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka, Emile van Heerden, Willem van den Hever.