Eben Etzebeth has been sidelined for nearly four months due to the ongoing effects – and conservative treatment – of a concussion, first suffered back in December.

Recently, the Springbok star has been reintegrated into training at the Sharks, while he also took part in the Springboks’ recent alignment camp in Cape Town.

In what comes as ‘good news’, though, is that fact that Sharks coach John Plumtree has confirmed that Ezebeth’s omission from the team this week is not due to any recurring concussion concerns, but a niggle that he picked up while with the Springboks.

“Eben strained a hamstring in a running block [during the Springbok alignment camp] in Cape Town,” Plumtree revealed on Thursday. “That set him back a couple weeks, but from a concussion point of view, he’s in a good place now.”

In other news, Plumtree confirmed that fellow Springbok Aphelele Fassi should return to play next month, while Grant Williams will be out for two to three weeks due to a neck joint injury.

Eben Etzebeth will hope to return to the Sharks team soon

Siya Kolisi will lead the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre Parma on Saturday at Kings Park.

Vincent Tshituka returns from injury as he replaces Lappies Labuschagne in the only change amongst the forwards, while brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse take on the role of halfback partnership with scrumhalf Grant Williams out of the game.

There is a welcome return for Makazole Mapimpi on the wing, which means Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius once again partner up in the midfield in the only other changes to the team that defeated the Emirates Lions.

Andre Esterhuizen is a notable returnee after injury, and he gets his first run off the bench this week.

The fourth-placed Sharks sit two points behind the Bulls on the overall standings and will target another five-pointer against 15th-placed Zebre.

Sharks team – 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 James Venter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/revealed-the-real-reason-for-eben-etzebeths-absence/