Sharks boss gives update on Eben Etzebeth's fitness after URC absence

The second-row was initially named in the starting line-up for the coastal derby but was replaced before kick-off.

Young lock Corne Rahl started in Etzebeth's absence and scored a try, but was unable to prevent the Durban outfit from succumbing to another defeat.

Hasn't trained"Eben had been struggling with a stomach complaint since Tuesday and hadn't trained," Plumtree told reporters. "He was getting better but just wasn't good enough on the day of the game.

"We've trained with the other young locks that we've got there. It was nice having Gerbrandt Grobler come back from injury and I thought he played really well for half the game he played.

"It was good to have his experience in there, so that's a positive."

Fortunately for the Sharks, Etzebeth's absence should not be long-term, but it potentially proved to be the difference during Saturday's encounter.

The Sharks fell to their seventh loss in eight United Rugby Championship games as they went down 16-15 to the Stormers in Cape Town.

"We had a world-class player there that was looking forward to playing the Stormers," Plumtree said. "He (Etzebeth) told me before the game that he hadn't played them yet (since leaving in 2019).

"He will have to wait for that opportunity, but I thought those young locks played really well on Saturday."

Difficult return for PlumtreeDespite being without Etzebeth, the Sharks still had a number of Springboks in their ranks on Saturday.

The return of their South Africa internationals following the Rugby World Cup has not yet had the desired effect as they currently sit second-bottom in the URC table.

Plumtree, who led the side between 2008 and 2012, has struggled on his return to Durban, but the head coach has pleaded for patience.

"There's a lot to do in Durban, it's just one step at a time. There's a lot for the players to get used to," he said.

"They've got to get used to me because I'm different and they've got to get used to a new coaching team. I've got to get used to them and how they operate - a lot of these players I don't really know very well.

"There's obviously a style of game we want to play, I thought we saw a slightly different style on Saturday, but we feel like we'll get on the right track eventually.

"It's going to take a bit of time and I've said that. The key for the Sharks fans is to just stay patient.

"It's been tough over the years, probably since they sacked me - a big mistake wasn't it!? I shouldn't say this, but this is the game, you live and die by administrators' decisions."

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