Eben out again?

Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth’s much-anticipated return for the Sharks is reportedly on hold once more. 

According to IOL, a source within the Sharks camp confirmed that the towering lock will not feature against Zebre Parma in the round 13 clash at Kings Park on Saturday.

Five log points picked up from a win against the Lions more than week ago has got the fourth-placed Sharks to within two of the Vodacom Bulls (third), and the Durbanites will be targeting a similar haul against second-from-bottom Zebre.

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Despite hopes that Etzebeth would return this week, the 33-year-old’s comeback now appears to be set for next week’s showdown against league-leaders Leinster.

Etzebeth has been sidelined with symptoms related to concussion since an Investec Champions Cup victory against Exeter Chiefs in December. 

Sharks head coach John Plumtree previously admitted frustration with the situation, saying, “Every time I’ve raised my hopes, we’ve gone backward again.”

Before last week’s national alignment camp, Bok boss Rassie Erasmus reiterated that Etzebeth won’t be rushed back, but was confident that the two-time World Cup winner would play for his country this year.

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