Sharks sweat on Eben injury

Sharks coach John Plumtree hopes Eben Etzebeth’s latest injury setback is “not too bad”.

The Bok lock left the field on a golf cart in the 27th minute of Friday night’s 29-10 win against the Ospreys at Kings Park with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Etzebeth only recently made his return from a lengthy spell on the sideline – due to recurring concussion symptoms and then a hamstring strain – starting the Sharks’ Vodacom URC tour matches against Edinburgh and Ulster.

“Hopefully, Eben’s not too bad,” Plumtree said at the post-match press conference. “I’m hoping it’s just a hematoma [a bad bruise] that might come right even before the [end of the] weekend. He’s a quick healer, Eben, but we’ll know more after he gets a scan.

“You could see he was just trying to push through it but it was too sore. I spoke to him at half time and he felt a bit better.”

RECAP: Sharks overpower Ospreys

Plumtree was pleased with a bonus-point win that took the Sharks level with the Vodacom Bulls on log points, although his side remains fourth on points difference.

“It was a workmanlike performance,” he said. “I was just saying how wet the pitch was. The boys found the ball quite dewy and that sort of took away a real attractive game of rugby from both sides. It became a kick battle and a set-piece battle, and a mindset of keeping the ball in front of the forwards and obviously our defence. I was really happy with our defence.

“We knew [Cardiff flank] Jac Morgan was going to be a threat [at the breakdown] tonight and he showed why he’s going on that [British & Irish Lions] tour. It got a bit patchy with our scrums but once we settled down, we were better.

“We had a lot of powerful running tonight from our loose forwards and tight five, a guy like Jason Jenkins really stood up. I thought we were pretty clinical when we got into the 22 with the work we do with our pack. The boys wanted to play a big game for Bongi [Mbonambi] on his 50th [cap].

“It was a pass mark, but we’re heading in the right direction.”

The Sharks’ final league-stage match is against the Scarlets, who will likely have Plumtree’s son at No 8.

“It’s going to be good to have Taine here,” said the proud dad. “I was hoping he might play on this pitch one day. It’s not for the Sharks but it will be good to see him. He just needs to get through Sunday [against the Lions] safely ”

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