Eben Etzebeth has been sidelined for four months primarily due to the ongoing effects of a concussion, first suffered back in December.

It is something that is monitored extremely closely in this day and age, and there have been some real concerns as time has gone on.

Recently, the Springbok star has been reintegrated into training at the Sharks, but it’s actually a niggle he picked up at the Springboks’ recent alignment camp in Cape Town that has delayed his possible return to action.

Etzebeth has again been omitted from the latest Sharks squad for the Challenge Cup game against Lyon in France this weekend, but an important update has been provided as to why this is the case.

The big lock is in fact now injury and concussion free, and has been cleared to play, but Sharks coach John Plumtree felt it wasn’t the right time to bring him back for what is expected to be an abrasive clash against Lyon in France.

It’s expected that Etzebeth will more than likely return when the URC resumes in mid-April.

Similarly, fellow Springbok Aphelele Fassi should return to play this month after also recovering from a long-term injury.

The Sharks have missed the presence of Eben Etzebeth and Fassi

After a season of mixed results, the Sharks will welcome the imminent return of Etzebeth and Fassi just as the season really enters the business end.

“The challenge for me is to keep improving the squad, getting the strongest players we can into our squad and that’s what we’re going to be working hard on for the next couple of years,” Sharks head John Plumtree commented.

“We’re getting there, we have some good youngsters coming through and we’re ambitious, we want to win a big trophy and right now, we’re still in the [URC] competition.

“We need to make sure that we play very good rugby when the URC returns and we tour Edinburgh and Ulster away.”

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE SHARKS HAVE MISSED THESE PLAYERS?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/big-update-on-eben-etzebeths-ongoing-absence/