Sharks board plane to Europe sans Etzebeth
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Eben Etzebeth is a notable absentee in a 28-man Sharks squad for a two-match European tour which gets under way with a clash against Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday.
John Plumtree has named a formidable group for the trip to France and Wales. The Sharks face Bordeaux in the final round of pool fixtures in the Investec Champions Cup, before resuming their 2024-25 campaign in the Vodacom URC against Cardiff at Arms Park next week.
The squad features a balance of seasoned campaigners and World Cup-winning Boks minus Etzebeth, who last played a competitive match at the start of December and has been troubled by the after-effects of concussion.
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Also overlooked for the trip are tighthead prop Vincent Koch, flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and winger Makazole Mapimpi after they failed their HIA tests following Saturday's defeat by Toulouse at Kings Park.
According to a Sharks statement on Monday, the Bok trio will be monitored this week and "hopefully they will be able to join the team" ahead of the clash against Cardiff next Saturday.
There are, however, welcome returns for prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, loose forward James Venter, scrumhalf Grant Williams, centre Lukhanyo Am and wing Eduan Keyter after varying injury and rest periods.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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