In a significant move that was confirmed by the EPCR on Thursday, the Sharks have made the pre-emptive move of deregistering Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth from their squad for the upcoming Champions Cup season.
The decision is widely seen as an acknowledgment by the Durban-based franchise that the towering lock is inevitably set to receive a lengthy suspension following his recent red card while playing for the Springboks.
Etzebeth was sent off in the final minutes of South Africa’s Test match against Wales in Cardiff for an alleged eye-gouge on Welsh flanker Alex Mann, and he is expected to be handed a substantial ban, with the verdict of a delayed disciplinary decision likely to be known on Sunday or Monday.
Eben Etzebeth in hot water
The 34-year-old is expected to face a suspension that could run over several months, and the Sharks have now taken the step to deregister Etzebeth as they clearly plan to be without his services for their elite European campaign, which is set to kick off this weekend.
Other stars missing
Etzebeth is not the only key player deregistered by the Sharks.
Other notable absentees from the Champions Cup squad include World Rugby Player of the Year finalist Ox Nche, who is out with a leg injury, and loose forward Manu Tshituka, while flyhalf Siya Masuku remains sidelined.
