Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been handed a 12-match ban after being found guilty of an eye-gouging incident on Wales back-row Alex Mann.
The Springboks continued their dominance after cruising to a commanding 73-0 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth said the Boks are looking forward to Saturday’s Castle Lager Outgoing Tour showdown against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium and added that it would be a “nice opportunity” to try to change their fortunes in Dublin, where they last won a Test in 2012.
All eyes will be on the Springboks as they gear up for their Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against the Pumas, with several key players expected to make a big impact.
The Sharks will be without Springboks Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Jordan Hendrikse and Makazole Mapimpi for the away game against French club team Bordeaux Bègles in the Champions Cup on Sunday and possibly also the clash a week later against Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship.
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World Rugby’s Men’s 15s Player of the Year for 2024, Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, is one of five nominees for SA Rugby’s Men’s Player of the Year for the past season, along with Damian De Allende, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Ox Nche.
Eben Etzebeth will start at lock alongside Franco Mostert in the Springboks’ final Castle Lager Outgoing Tour clash against Wales on Saturday after Jean Kleyn was forced to withdraw from the match-23 due to a niggle.
Four Springboks received recognition for their impressive and consistent performances during the 2024 season after being nominated for the World Rugby Awards.
Eben Etzebeth will set the record as the most capped Springbok of all time on in Nelspruit Saturday when he runs out at lock against Argentina, while Jaden Hendrikse and Manie Libbok are paired as starting halfbacks for the first time in the title-deciding match of the Castle Lager Rugby Championship at the Mbombela Stadium.
Eben Etzebeth will lead a strong Hollywoodbets Sharks team named to take on Gloucester in Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.