Sharks coach JP Pietersen says the experience of two-time Rugby World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth will be sorely missed as the lock serves a suspension that will keep him sidelined until March next year.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has confirmed that his Springbok players are expected to be available for their next match against English giants Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday.
Springbok and Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth was handed a 12-match ban after being found guilty of intentional contact with the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann in South Africa’s 73-0 victory against Wales last Saturday.
Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth will have to wait a bit longer before finding out the verdict regarding his red card against Wales this past Saturday.
In the aftermath of South Africa’s 73–0 obliteration of Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, head coach Rassie Erasmus described the game as “a controlled performance,” and added that “we’re very proud of the way we played.”
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus was left lost for words after Eben Etzebeth was sent off in the final minutes for gouging the eye of Alex Mann, despite South Africa having dominated Wales with 11 tries at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick sat alongside captain Siya Kolisi as preparation began to wind down for their final match of a long, demanding tour, reflecting on the squad’s setup, tactical flexibility, and mindset heading into their clash with 11th-ranked Wales.
Captain Siya Kolisi was in an upbeat and jovial mood as the Springboks wrapped up preparations for their final international fixture of 2025 – an end-of-year clash against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Rassie Erasmus takes his men into the battlefield one last time for 2025 as the Springboks aim to conclude the end-of-year tour unbeaten and with the number one world ranking intact following decisive victories over Japan, France, Italy, and Ireland, with a meeting against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.