Rugby
Etzebeth to miss URC semi-final against Bulls─── MORGAN PIEK 14:14 Fri, 06 Jun 2025
The Sharks will have to make do without the highly experienced Springbok lock, Eben Etzebeth, for Saturday’s big United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Bulls in Pretoria.
The most capped Springbok of all time has been ruled out of the knockout clash after picking up an injury during training earlier in the week.
Corné Rahl will start in the second row for the match. Another change sees Emile van Heerden coming in for the injured Jason Jenkins.
Eben Etzebeth. Photo: Morgan Piek
Deon Slabbert will provide cover at lock, while the exciting Jurenzo Julius replaces the former Toyota Cheetahs captain, Francois Venter. Sharks coach Johan Plumtree said that with a possible final looming, they didn’t want to risk playing the physical Etzebeth in the semi-final.
“He took a knock at training, and we decided it’s best not to risk him this week,” said Plumtree. “So we made a pretty early call on that. He’s feeling a lot better, by the way. He’s been in touch with me and the team.
“I’m not overly concerned about it, but I’m pretty sure that if we get through, he’ll be available next week. He got a head knock at training, but like I say, he’s already feeling a lot better.
“Eben is probably the best lock in the world, so it’s a big loss. But the thing is, it’s a team game. One person doesn’t make this team, and we’ve won games without him this year. Yes, it’s disappointing that he won’t be there, but it’s exciting for other players who get the chance to step up and play big games like this.”
On Saturday at 15:45, Leinster take on the Glasgow Warriors, and at 18:15 the Bulls will face the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.
Bulls - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canon Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Ruan Nortje (captain), 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements - 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Keagan Johannes, 23 Devon Williams
Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Corné Rahl, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements - 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Deon Slabbert, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Jurenzo Julius, 23 Yaw Penxe
