VIDEO: Why Eben chose Sharks over Stormers
REACTION: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has opened up on his decision to sign for the Sharks.
Etzebeth will join the South African franchise from Toulon once the French season has ended.
He has been signed on a long-term contract until 2027.
The 30-year-old, nearing 100 Test matches for the Springboks in a decade long international career, including 13 in Rugby World Cups, will bolster a Sharks pack that has really begun to dominate and his physicality and bruising nature will no doubt add to the heights the forwards are striving to achieve.
He admits that returning to South Africa after spending a few years overseas was a big motivation.
Our newest Shark 🥳#OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/uSB4XNjRdt
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) February 17, 2022
“Family and being closer to home was a big motivating factor, as well as being able to represent a great team like the Sharks,” said Etzebeth.
“I can see things are happening there, Siya [Kolisi] is there and we’ve been friends since were in the provincial Under-19s together and now we will get to play for the Sharks together.
“Along with my Springbok teammates Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Thomas du Toit, all guys I know well. I’m also really excited to meet a few new guys.”
While the Sharks make no secret of their excitement to announce this major acquisition, it appears to be a two-way street and Etzebeth admitted that he was just as excited to play in Durban.
He explained that he did his homework on the team that was courting him, speaking to some of the players here already.
“I chatted to Siya, I gave Thomas a call and chatted to them. Off the field, things work, on the field we can see things are working and the team is doing well.
“I enjoyed watching the last game against the Bulls and the victory away from home and this is a brand I definitely want to be associated with and which I’m proud to be joining.”
He added that playing home games at Kings Park also excites him.
“I’m looking forward to playing at The Shark Tank, the local derbies against the Bulls, Stormers and Lions will be awesome. I’m looking forward to being back in South Africa and playing in front of the Sharks fans there.”
Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee added: “Attracting a player of Etzebeth’s calibre underlines the importance The Sharks place on building a winning squad, which is aligned to the vision of being the biggest franchise in world rugby.
“We’re also focused on building a strong group of players for a number of years, not just the immediate future and Eben’s long-term contract reflects this.
“We want to create a winning culture here at The Sharks across the board and from a team perspective, bringing players who have achieved at the highest level helps in our goal of achieving this.”
My mother, Zeei Masotti, always has a rugby opinion. It is important to listen to your mother . . . @SharksRugby @coetzee_eduard @SARugbymag @PlanetRugby @URCOfficial @SiyaKolisi @EbenEtzebeth pic.twitter.com/PksqOUWnKF
— Marco Masotti (@MarcoMasotti_) February 17, 2022
