RUGBY NEWS - Sharks coach John Plumtree has revealed that Eben Etzebeth has undergone knee surgery, which is expected to sideline the Springbok enforcer for several weeks.

Etzebeth last featured for the Sharks off the bench in a Champions Cup victory against French outfit Oyonnax on 13 January, and is ruled out to face the Stormers in Durban this week.

The 32-year-old lock was one of several Bok world champions set to be rested for the coastal derby in the URC at Kings Park on Saturday, due to national team protocols.

Speaking in a Sharks conference with skipper Lukhanyo Am on Tuesday, a frustrated Plumtree addressed the challenges of an injury-hit roster that included the likes of Bongi Mbonambi while navigating the Bok resting period.

‘Handicapped’

“It’s a long season and I feel like I’ve been handicapped by the fact that I’ve had a lot of injuries … it’s Bongi’s first game coming up and he’s our No 1 hooker,” Plumtree told reporters.

“Eben Etzebeth has started playing and now had a knee operation so he’ll only be back in a few weeks.

“So it’s been a bit frustrating for me that I haven’t been able to put out the kind of pack I’ve wanted to. If I put out the pack that I’ve wanted to, it makes the bench a lot stronger, with fresh legs coming off the bench after 60 minutes.”

Asked which of the Durban outfit’s Bok contingent will or won’t be available for selection this week, the Kiwi replied: “What’s today? I’ll name the team on Friday don’t I, or Thursday? I’m giving you a heads-up on the team a little early but I will say there are Springboks rested and there are Springboks still injured.

“Lukhanyo is playing, that’s why he is here otherwise he’ll probably be on holiday. It’s not ideal but we understand the importance of it. These boys have got a long season of playing northern hemisphere rugby and southern hemisphere rugby, which is crazy isn’t it?

“Until the players are committed to one hemisphere there’ll be a lot of disruption [in the interim], and hopefully that will happen over the next couple of years.”

Read more on Caxton publication, The Citizen

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