The Sharks were dealt a massive blow on the eve of their United Rugby Championship semi-final with the Bulls, with the news that Eben Etzebeth has withdrawn due to injury.

The behemoth lock captained the Sharks to victory during an enthralling penalty shootout victory against Munster in their quarter-final in Durban last weekend.

However, Sharks head coach John Plumtree has revealed that he will be without the services of the Springboks enforcer, who sustained an unspecified injury at training earlier this week.

Second-row partner also sidelined

Jason Jenkins, who started alongside Etzebeth at lock against Munster, has also been ruled out due to injury, which means Emile van Heerden and Corne Rahl will pack down in the second-row against the Bulls.

Etzebeth’s absence in such a crucial match will be a huge setback for the Sharks, who have become used to losing his services recently as he has had an injury-plagued season.

The 33-year-old has struggled with a number of problems since the end of 2024, starting with a head injury he suffered against Exeter Chiefs in December.

That kept him on the sidelines for several months as his concussion symptoms persisted before a hamstring strain delayed his comeback.

He was eventually named to make his comeback against Edinburgh during the league phase of the URC, but illness forced him to miss the Sharks’ match against Ulster.

Siya Kolisi makes blunt revelation as Sharks set sights on maiden URC final

Etzebeth then made his return to action against the Ospreys early in May but was forced off the field in the first half of that encounter with a knee injury, which did not prove to be serious.

With Etzebeth sidelined for the clash with the Bulls, Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi will take over the Sharks’ captaincy. Kolisi packs down at number eight in a pack which, apart from their new second-row, is unchanged.

The backline remains the same although Jurenzo Julius is back in the 23 as he takes over from Francois Venter as backline cover on the replacements bench.

“We want to play better, there are many things we want to do better on the field, but there were a lot of good things we did against Munster,” said Kolisi.

“We’ve also played better this season with a full team and everyone available, but with injuries, the dynamics change.”

Sharks team to face Bulls

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

Date: Saturday, June 7
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 18:15 local (17:15 BST)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (SRU), Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

READ MORE: Bernard Jackman reveals the Sharks’ sledge that ‘fired-up’ Jack Crowley

Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/hammer-eben-etzebeth-blow-as-sharks-lose-springboks-star-for-urc-semi-final