Eben Etzebeth got hit with a 12-match ban for gouging a Welsh player during the Springboks tour, and the Sharks decided to pull him from their Champions Cup roster to free up a spot for someone who can actually play. Head coach John Plumtree said the whole thing crushed the team since they lost one of their best locks and a major leader, plus two other second-row guys are injured until late December. Etzebeth feels terrible about the mess and knows how bad it hurts the club.
While he sits out, the veteran will help coach junior players and work with some senior squad members on random tasks to stay useful. The Sharks might add him back to the Champions Cup squad if they make the playoffs in April, but for the immediate future, they have to figure out their lock crisis without him.
While he sits out, the veteran will help coach junior players and work with some senior squad members on random tasks to stay useful. The Sharks might add him back to the Champions Cup squad if they make the playoffs in April, but for the immediate future, they have to figure out their lock crisis without him.
