Sharks Steady in Durban Despite Etzebeth Injury Scare

The Hollywoodbets Sharks claimed a 29-10 win over the Ospreys in their penultimate Vodacom United Rugby Championship league match, but the result was overshadowed by the sight of captain Eben Etzebeth being carted off with a knee injury.

Etzebeth initially tried to push through the discomfort before finally succumbing and being assisted off. Post-match, Sharks coach John Plumtree remained cautiously optimistic, suggesting the injury may be a deep bruise, a hematoma, rather than anything more serious. He added that Etzebeth tends to recover quickly, and more clarity would come after medical scans.

The game itself lacked real flow, with the dew-soaked pitch making handling difficult. Both sides struggled to build momentum, with the match turning into a tactical contest dominated by kicks and forward play. Plumtree praised his side’s defensive effort and noted the conditions prevented either team from playing an expansive game.

He highlighted Ospreys captain Jac Morgan’s presence at the breakdown, calling him a standout performer and justifying his selection for the British and Irish Lions. Despite some issues at scrum time, the Sharks found their rhythm, with Plumtree pointing out the impact of players like Jason Jenkins and the effectiveness of the team’s close-range execution.

Injuries forced unusual shifts,most notably, centre Andre Esterhuizen slotted in as a flanker after Emmanuel Tshituka left the field.

The win lifted the Sharks level on 58 points with the Bulls, who were set to face Cardiff later on Saturday. Glasgow Warriors also remain in contention for a top-three finish but must beat Benetton and Leinster to hold their ground. A strong finish by the Sharks against Scarlets next weekend could help them avoid a Stormers quarterfinal and open the door to a more favourable playoff path.