Eben ‘the best lock in the world’

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Coach Sean Everitt is excited about what Eben Etzebeth will bring to the Sharks pack when the veteran Springbok lock makes his Vodacom United Rugby Championship debut against Glasgow on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

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Etzebeth, who completed a move from French giants Toulon last season, will make his long-awaited first run-out at Kings Park as the Sharks have welcomed back their Springboks this weekend.

“Eben is the best lock in the world,” said Everitt. “So it’s great to have him and it’s one of the reasons we are starting him.

“We feel we can improve our lineouts and Eben will bring a lot in that area, as well as with his ball-carrying ability.”

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While Etzebeth and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse have been named to start, the rest of the Springboks, including Siya Kolisi, will play from the bench on Saturday.

“We’ve been away for three weeks and the Springboks had a week off and then returned to training last week,” Everitt explained. “We used last week as an integration week for them. They haven’t really had an opportunity to train with the rest of the team, until Thursday, funnily enough.

“Cohesion is important and making too many changes at once can disrupt things a bit. Playing some of the Springboks off the bench is part of our plan. At the same time, it rewards some of the players who did well on tour.

“A good start is crucial against Glasgow and cohesion plays a big role in that.”

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What this does mean is that the Sharks will have a powerhouse bench to call from on Saturday, including a demolition squad of a front row of Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche and Carlu Sadie.

“We are blessed with an abundance of quality in our front row,” added Everitt. “To be able to call on the likes of Ox, Bongi and Carlu Sadie certainly helps our cause. Having leaders in Siya Kolisi and Makazole Mapimpi also makes for a very strong matchday-23.”

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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

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Dylan Jack