Eben Etzebeth is one of four returning Springbok big guns set to fire for the Sharks on their two-match Vodacom URC tour.
The double World Cup-winning lock has not played since the Sharks’ Investec Champions Cup match against Exeter in Durban on 7 December, first due to recurring concussion symptoms and then because of a hamstring strain sustained at the Springbok alignment camp.
The Sharks face Edinburgh (who beat the Vodacom Bulls in their Challenge Cup quarter-final at Hive Stadium on Saturday) and Ulster on tour, before finishing their league campaign with two home matches against Welsh opposition (Ospreys and Scarlets).
“I believe a guy like Eben Etzebeth will be back by then [for the Edinburgh match]. He’s pretty much on track,” Sharks director of rugby Neil Powell said on this week’s Rapport Praat Sport podcast.
Etzebeth is expected to be joined on the plane by Springbok teammates Aphelele Fassi, Lukhanyo Am and Grant Williams, all of whom have recovered from injury.
Fullback Fassi injured an ankle against the Stormers at the end of last year, centre Am was hurt in the first match of the Lions double-header last month, while scrumhalf Williams recently required rest because of a neck niggle.
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Powell confirmed that the fourth-placed Sharks would select their best possible squad for the crucial tour in a bid to finish in the top two on the log.
“To give ourselves the best chance of a home semi-final in Durban, our goal is to do well in all four of our final league games.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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Eben Etzebeth is one of four returning Springbok big guns set to fire for the Sharks on their two-match @Vodacom #URC tour.
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