'I am too scared to tell you anything positive about Eben Etzebeth'

‘I am too scared to tell you anything positive about Eben Etzebeth’ – Sharks coach

Springbok and Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth has suffered another injury ruling him out of this weekend’s fixture against the Zebre.

Eben Etzebeth ruled out for Sharks game. Image: @Springboks/X

Sharks head coach John Plumtree has provided an update on Springbok star Eben Etzebeth‘s condition.

The 33-year-old lock has been out of action for three months following a concussion. Etzebeth was set to return to the field this weekend for the Sharks but suffered another injury. His coach John Plumtree said the Boks star strained his hamstring during a running session.

Eben Etzebeth’s return delayed

“That set him back a couple of weeks but from a concussion point of view he’s in a good place now,” Plumtree was quoted in The Citizen.

“So good news there but it’s frustrating for him with his hamstring. But that’s life. We just wait for him to get fit again and that won’t be long.”

Last week, Plumtree stated that Eben Etzebeth was looking good, but he didn’t want to raise hopes in case a setback occurred. A few days later, the most capped Springbok player suffered a hamstring injury.

“I am too scared to tell you anything positive about Eben as every time I have done that before and raised my hopes we have ended up going backwards again.

“But he is training with us and is looking really good. He trained well this week. We have the bye this week, but hopefully he will play for us at the end of the month.

“As I say, I am nervous about going for any positive timelines but right now it is looking very good,” Plumtree said last week.

Eben Etzebeth suffered a concussion against Exeter Chiefs in the Champions Cup on 7 December and has not played a match since. He could return to action next month.