Eben Etzebeth is unveiled at the Sharks and there is already one glaring problem
The Cell C Sharks unveiled their new signing Eben Etzebeth today at Kings Park almost eight months after announcing the deal.
The Springboks centurion finished last season with Toulon ahead of an international series against Wales and the Rugby Championship, so this is basically the first time he can be unveiled. The United Rugby Championship season is already underway with the Sharks winning two from two, but it is not clear when the World Cup winner is going to make his debut. He only has a handful of opportunities before he is back with the Boks again for their northern hemisphere tour.
The unveiling video shared today showed the 30-year-old strolling around the training facilities, going to the gym and walking out onto the Kings Park pitch, and there was one thing that was immediately noticeable- he doesn’t fit in the tunnel leading to the pitch.
The 6’8″ lock had to duck just before entering the field of play, and that was with him just wearing trainers. Put some boots on with studs and that adds another inch to his height, meaning he is at risk of smashing his head every time he runs out to play for his team at home. Then again, if there was one player that could demand they rebuild the entire tunnel for him, it is probably Etzebeth.
Take a look at the video:
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“These are exciting times,” Etzebeth said after signing for the Sharks in February.
“I’m looking forward to coming to The Sharks and living in Durban and I expect this to be a wonderful chapter in my career.
“I can see things are happening there, Siya [Kolisi] is there and we’ve been friends since we were in the provincial Under 19s together and now we will get to play for the Sharks together. Along with my Springbok team-mates Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Thomas du Toit, all guys I know well. I’m also really excited to meet a few new guys.”
“I chatted to Siya, I gave Thomas a call and chatted to them. Off the field, things work, on the field we can see things are working and the team is doing well, I enjoyed watching the last game against the Bulls and the victory away from home and this is a brand I definitely want to be associated with and which I’m proud to be joining.
“I’m looking forward to playing at The Shark Tank, the local derbies against the Bulls, Stormers and Lions will be awesome. I’m looking forward to being back in South Africa and playing in front of the Sharks fans there.”
