Eben Etzebeth has left Sharks fans licking their lips ahead of next Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Munster following his comments about Jean Kleyn, his Springboks teammate.
The third-placed Durban franchise is set to welcome the sixth-placed Irish province to Kings Park and the fit-again Etzebeth has whet the appetite ahead of his reunion with his South African pal.
Speaking to reporters about this weekend’s quarter-final showdown, Etzebeth said: “It’s always good to go up against fellow South Africans and I’m sure we’ll get each other in a ruck once or twice and have something to say to each other, in a positive way. He’s a good man and a good player for Munster, and I’m looking forward to going up against him.”
The pair last faced off against each other in October when the Sharks won 41-24 in Durban in what was Graham Rowntree’s last match in charge of Munster. Both enforcers have since had their injury frustrations, limiting their impacts with their respective clubs. However, Etzebeth has now shaken off concussion and hamstring issues and Kleyn neck and quad problems.
Reflecting on his latest stint on the sidelines, a lay-off that came to an end last month when the Sharks travelled to Scotland, Etzebeth said: “It was obviously frustrating with the concussion. There’s not really a timeline on it, it’s all about your symptoms and how you respond to certain treatments. So I’d think, ‘Maybe I’ll be back in a week’s time’ and then it’s a bit longer.
“I understand the fans might be a bit frustrated”
“And then I picked up a hamstring (strain at the first Springboks alignment camp) and had to sit out a bit more. It was good to get that first 80 minutes against Scarlets under the belt. It’s good when you play 20 here or 60 there, but when you finally get a full game, you really feel like you’re back in the mix.”
That 12-3 win over Scarlets on May 17 secured the Sharks home-field advantage in the URC play-offs for the first time and they now host Munster knowing a semi-final versus the winners of the Bulls versus Edinburgh will be the reward if they progress.
“I understand the fans might be a bit frustrated, because sometimes players and coaches are too,” said Etzebeth when quizzed about the inconsistencies of the Sharks’ performances.
“But this is the highest the Sharks have ever finished in the URC, with only Leinster and the Bulls above us. We have a home quarter-final, and we know if we win it we will stay in South Africa for a semi-final, whether it’s at the Shark Tank (against Edinburgh) or at the Bulls.
“Last season we lost the tight matches and finished 14th on the log. This season we’ve won them, and that’s the difference. A couple of points and you have a home quarter-final. We’re used to playing those tight games, but hopefully we don’t have to make it too tight (in the play-offs).
“Munster are a quality side, though, and it’s probably going to come down to discipline on the day or who’s got the better goal-kicker.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/eben-etzebeth-issues-a-get-each-other-in-a-ruck-warning-to-springboks-teammate-ahead-of-urc-quarter-final
