VIDEO: Concern after Etzebeth's concussion update

While Sharks coach John Plumtree played down concerns over star lock Eben Etzebeth’s latest setback, he did confirm the reason for his absence from the team to face Stade Toulousain in a Champions Cup match on Saturday.

The Challenge Cup champion Sharks host the defending European champions, Toulouse, in a Round Three match at Kings Park on Saturday.

* To read our Round Three preview, CLICK HERE!

Etzebeth, one of several injured Boks who are unavailable, will miss the encounter as a result of the aftereffects of concussion suffered in the early rounds of the European season.

Etzebeth also had a back problem and went for a scan on his shoulder.

However, at this stage, it appears concussion is his biggest concern.

“He did well with his concussion protocols during the week,” Plumtree said, adding: “He went through all the different stages.

“We had a scrum session on Wednesday and he developed a headache.

“We pulled him out and will assess him again next week to see how he goes.”

While the coach was ‘optimistic’ that the record-breaking Bok could be back soon, he said they would treat his condition with ‘caution’.

(WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree reveals the concerning reason why Springbok star Eben Etzebeth is still not available to play.…)

Plumtree also updates on the other injured Boks – Andre Esterhuizen and Aphelele Fassi.

Esterhuizen will be sidelined for about three months with a knee injury he suffered in a vicious tackle in the loss to the Stormers late in December.

Fassi underwent surgery on Friday to an ankle injury he suffered in the same encounter back on December 28.

Two-times World Cup-winning Bok centre Lukhanyo Am is “not far away” from a full recovery from a wrist fracture.

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