Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been ruled out of action for approximately two months due to a hip injury. This injury effectively ends his season with the Hollywoodbets Sharks for their 2025/26 United Rugby Championship season.
Etzebeth was a notable absentee from JP Pietersen’s 28-man Hollywoodbets Sharks squad that flies to Wales today, ahead of back-to-back away matches against the Ospreys and Edinburgh.
A Sharks spokesperson confirmed that Etzebeth suffered a hip injury during his comeback match against Connacht on 3 April 2026, which was his first appearance following a 12-match suspension.
Etzebeth is now in a race against time to be fit for the start of the Springboks' international season and is unlikely to feature in the non-cap match against the Barbarians on 20 June 2026.
His primary goal should be to recover in time for the Test series against England, which begins on 4 July 2026 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.