Coach JP Pietersen is sweating on injured lock Eben Etzebeth and flyhalf Vusi Moyo after the Sharks’ 39-22 URC defeat to the Stormers.
Moyo and Etzebeth were forced off in the 18th and 36th minutes respectively of Saturday’s coastal derby in Cape Town.
“Vusi, I think, dislocated his shoulder, and he tried to fight it out,” Pietersen said.
“I think Eben had something with his knee. I’m not too sure, but it looks painful. I think maybe it’s a bruise on his knee.
“I’m not a doctor, but he’s in pain. He couldn’t run, so we had to make the substitution.”
RECAP: Six-try Stormers exact revenge
The Sharks went into the round-three clash unbeaten after home bonus-point wins against the Ospreys and Leinster, but were outscored six tries to three by a Stormers side determined to avenge last season’s two defeats.
Pietersen felt the injuries, followed by yellow cards to flanks Matt Romao and Manu Tshituka, proved costly.
“When we lost Vusi and Eben, the score was still 8-8, in the balance.
“Then we had a scrum penalty against us, I think on our ball. The Stormers went to the corner and scored.
“Then we got two yellow cards in the first half, so it put us under massive pressure.
“Losing momentum with two key guys – your 10 is the main playmaker, and then Eben obviously with the forwards – and then to get two yellow cards against a really good team, defending with 13 men is going to be a tough ask.”
ACKERS: Bulls showed their steel
The hosts led 22-8 at half-time and never looked like relinquishing their advantage after the break.
“The Stormers played very well. Everything worked for them,” Pietersen said. “For us to stay in the fight, every time we got into the 22, we scored. That’s a positive thing we can take away.
“Defensively, it’s something we need to work on, but [a positive was] the fight from the bench that came on for the last 30 minutes.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post JP: Eben’s in pain appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach JP Pietersen is sweating on injured lock Eben Etzebeth and flyhalf Vusi Moyo after the Sharks’ 39-22 URC defeat to the Stormers.
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