VIDEO: Plumtree hopes for 'nothing sinister' in Etzebeth injury
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will have a few sleepless nights, awaiting the outcome of a scan on veteran Springbok Eben Etzebeth’s leg injury.
The Sharks secured their place in the top four of the United Rugby Championship with a 29-10 win over Ospreys in Durban this past Friday.
The bonus-point win saw the Sharks move 12 points clear of the fifth-placed Cardiff and guaranteed them home ground advantage in the quarterfinal.
The victory, however, came with a hefty price and a major concern over the growing Springbok injury list.
In the 27th minute, captain Eben Etzebeth was left writhing on the floor and clutching his leg in the knee area.
He tried to walk it off, but minutes later was replaced and taken away on a medical cart – a big concern for both the Sharks and Boks.
The Sharks already have a lengthy injury list that includes scrumhalf Grant Williams (neck), flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse (back), centre Lukhanyo Am (knee) and prop Ox Nche (illness).
Sharks coach John Plumtree was hopeful that Etzebeth’s latest injury was not too bad.
(WATCH as Sharks coach John Plumtree gives an update on the latest injury setback suffered by veteran Springbok Eben Etzebeth….)
“Hopefully it is just a haematoma that might come right, even before next weekend,” he said of the most capped Bok.
“He is a pretty quick healer, Eben.
“Hopefully [it is] nothing more sinister.
“He will get a scan,” the coach said, adding that they will not put any players in cotton wool ahead of the play-offs.
Etzebeth, 33, was sidelined with concussion issues since December and only recently returned to action.
The Bok and Shark coaches will hope for positive news from the 131-times capped lock’s scan, with South Africa opening their international campaign in a non-cap international against the Barbarians next month.
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* Picture credit: Steve Haag Sport
