VIDEO: Why Plumtree is 'too scared' to talk about Etzebeth

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said Eben Etzebeth is ‘very close’ to being ready to play again.

However, Sharks counterpart John Plumtree has had his hopes dashed often enough to avoid making roseate statements.

The towering lock has not played since he suffered a concussion in early December.

Last month, after a couple of false starts, the Sharks revealed that Etzebeth was being managed by a concussion specialist and “he will be cleared to return once they are fully satisfied that his injury has completely resolved”.

This week, in his first press conference of the year at the South African Rugby Union headquarters in Plattekloof, Erasmus provided some positive feedback on the most-capped Bok’s road to recovery.

It is not a meliorism shared by Plumtree.

“I am too scared to tell you anything positive,” Plumtree told a media briefing in the build-up to Saturday’s United Rugby Championship catch-up encounter with the Lions, adding: “When I got my hopes up we ended going backwards again.”

* Sharks v Lions – teams and prediction

(Article continues below the Plumtree interview …)

The Sharks coach reiterated the message issued by Erasmus earlier in the week that the Bok legend is ‘looking very good’.

“He has trained well this week and we are hoping is not far away.”

The Sharks have a break after Saturday’s face-off with the Lions.

Their next match is against Zebre on March 22, followed by a crunch match with Leinster (March 29) – both at Kings Park.

Plumtree was ‘hopeful’ that Etzebeth could feature in his first match in almost four months.

“As I have said, I am a bit too nervous to give any positive timelines, but it is starting to look much better.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

* Related

Rassie’s frank update on Eben Etzebeth
Sharks reveal Etzebeth ‘uncertainty’