Etzebeth improving, but only ready for return in mid June
NO EBEN ETZEBETH for the Springboks against England. That’s pretty much official.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck yesterday confirmed that the Bok lock (pictured) is “around 85 percent” in terms of recovery after he sustained nerve damage in his neck and shoulder during the Boks’ end-of-year tour last season.
And although he’s been training with the Stormers in recent weeks – which suggested a return soon – Fleck said that he definitely won’t be ready for next week’s match against the Lions.
“No (he won’t be ready next week). We were hoping he would be, but medically he hasn’t been passed fit and rugby-wise he’s not ready,” the coach said.
“He’s desperate to be playing, he wants to play for the Stormers and certainly he wants to play for his country, but we have to make the right decision for him and for the group going forward and we need to look after him. It’s looking realistic that he could be ready by the second or third week in June.”
Fleck further explained that getting a few minutes in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge in June might be a more realistic goal for Etzebeth
“I’d like to think that he’ll get some game time during the June break with WP or some more training time with us, but we’re looking at getting him back more towards the Jaguares game (June 30).”
“He’s around 85 percent at the moment, his arm and neck are improving quite quickly so he’s getting better and better, so once he’s passed medically fit, it’ll just be a rugby decision. Then he just needs a bit of game time and a bit of confidence.”
Etzebeth’s delayed return heightens the Springboks’ injury concerns, with lock Lood de Jager and Malcolm Marx already ruled out with injury.
“That’s not my decision (whether he plays for the Boks in June), but he hasn’t been passed medically fit by our medical team.”
“He just hasn’t got 100% of his strength back in that arm, as soon as he gets it to 100% compared to the other arm, he’ll be passed fit. So it’s just a matter of time, it’s not too far away.”