Rugby World CupNews

Springboks expect Eben Etzebeth to be back fit for Ireland clash after shoulder injury

South Africa have no other injury concerns in their camp following their win over Scotland

South Africa's Eben Etzebeth will be fit to play against Ireland later this month. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Mon Sep 11 2023 - 19:17

South Africa secondrow Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out for seven to 10 days with a shoulder injury, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said on Monday, but is expected to recover for their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash with Ireland on September 23rd.

Etzebeth went off after 26 minutes of the Springboks’ 18-3 victory over Scotland in Marseille on Sunday, and will definitely sit out the meeting with Romania this coming weekend. It is likely he would have been rested in any event.

But he is expected to return to meet Ireland – another heavyweight clash between the top two teams in the world rankings.

“The Romania match is the most important one next, not just to get the result, but to improve enough to really give (Ireland) a go,” Erasmus told reporters.

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“If we manage to win that one (against Ireland), then it will be a really interesting last round because I think Scotland have the ability to give Ireland a go.” South Africa have no other injury concerns in their camp following the bruising battle with the Scots.

Meanwhile, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says outhalf Manie Libbok is the man to lead South Africa in their quest to retain the Rugby World Cup, even if he has bad days from the kicking tee.

Libbok put in a man-of-the-match performance against the Scots, but kicked two from five relatively simple attempts at goal and has been wayward off the tee in the past. But Kolisi said his side have no concerns around Libbok in potentially tight knockout contests and there were others who could take over kicking duties if required.

“We play as a team and sometimes you are not good at one thing on the day,” Kolisi told reporters. “But the way he attacked and the way he takes control of the team, people forget that and remember only the other stuff. Faf (de Klerk) can kick, Cheslin (Kolbe) can kick, there are a lot of guys we can call upon. If someone is lacking somewhere, then someone else will take over.

“It is the same with me, sometimes I don’t know what to call to make in the game. So Duane (Vermeulen) or Eben (Etzebeth) will make the call instead. Even Manie will make a call.”

Kolisi insists that Libbok’s all-round game and ability to ignite their backline and create try-scoring opportunities, as he did for Kurt-Lee Arendse against the Scots with a superb cross field kick, outweighs everything else.

“Some flyhalves kick well but can’t tackle. He tackles as hard as anyone. So we don’t stress about it, if he misses, the next guy can go.”

South Africa led 6-3 at halftime but Kolisi was not happy with the intensity they showed.

“It was quite clear we did not start the way we normally do and with the intensity we usually bring,” he said. “The conversations (at halftime) were clear. We had to improve. Set-piece is important and that is why we came out with that (improved) energy.”

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