The Stormers said they will keep a close watch on Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) derby in Cape Town.
The warning comes after the Springbok lock ran through the Leinster defence with speed and skill last weekend. His run helped set up a try for Sharks captain André Esterhuizen.
“If Eben carries the ball, you don’t move off him. Whether he fake-passes or not, you stay on him,” Stormers defence coach Norman Laker said with a laugh, IOL Sport reported.
Against Leinster, Etzebeth faked his way past a rushing defence set up by former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber. He found a gap and gained plenty of metres with a long run.
He then passed to wing Edwill van der Merwe and kept running in support. Etzebeth got the ball back and handed it to Esterhuizen as he was tackled. The captain went over to score.
Stormers utility forward Deon Fourie said his team is getting ready for what Etzebeth and the rest of the Sharks will bring to the match.
“It’s amazing when you get older what you can achieve,” the 40-year-old Fourie said with a smile.
“I think he’s in good form at the moment. He was struggling over the last two years with injuries and concussion and stuff, so he’s in a good spot now, and you can see it from when he played for the Boks and last weekend,” Fourie said.
“He’s enjoying it, and it’s all the old Eben,” he added.
Laker said the Stormers must be ready for a strong attacking effort from their coastal rivals. He also praised the work of Sharks coach JP Pietersen.
“The Sharks are a quality outfit. JP Pietersen has done a phenomenal job with them since he took over,” Laker said.
“They beat us last year at DHL Stadium. I think that was his first game in charge, or second game, I’m not 100% sure, but what he’s done with the Sharks is phenomenal. There’s a lot of respect for him,” he said.
Laker said he does not expect the Sharks to change their style of play. “I don’t think they will move off what they’re doing, because what they are doing is working for them. It’s going to be a big game,” he said.
The Sharks won the last two URC matches between the two teams. The Stormers will be looking to end that run on Saturday.
The game will be the first coastal derby of the new season. The Stormers will also wear their new “Men in Black” kit for the first time in the match.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.