Expect Eben Etzebeth to make his return to the rugby field when the Hollywoodbets Sharks host Zebre in Durban on 21 March or at the worst a week later when they go into a crucial home face-off against runaway Vodacom United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster a week later.

Sharks coach John Plumtree was unable to include Etzebeth in his plans for this weekend’s South African Shield decider against the Emirates Lions at Hollywoodbets Kings Park, but sounded cautiously optimistic at the team announcement press conference on Friday that the Springbok behemoth will be part of the Sharks’ challenge after this game.

“I am too scared to tell you anything positive about Eben as every time I have done that before and raised my hopes we have ended up going backwards again,” said Plumtree.

“But he is training with us and is looking really good in training, he trained well this week. We don’t play next week but hopefully he will play for us at the end of the month. As I say, I am nervous about going for any really positive timelines but right now it is looking really good.”

Judging from what Plumtree says, Etzebeth returning off the bench against Zebre to prepare his body for the crunch game against Leinster the following week might be a smart bet.

Etzebeth has been out since the Investec Champions Cup game against Exeter Chiefs in early December with issues related to concussion.

Plumtree’s cautiously optimistic view supports that of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who said earlier in the week that Etzebeth was progressing well and should soon be in a situation where he has the all clear to start playing again.

He said that he expects Etzebeth to be part of the national team’s 2025 season and did not appear overly concerned.

Etzebeth’s absence has hurt the Sharks and it coincided since late December with that of Emile van Heerden, who was effectively one of the first choice locks before he was injured in the Cape Town derby against the DHL Stormers.

The good news for the Sharks is that Van Heerden is back in the starting team for Saturday, so the lock crisis that saw young Deon Slabbert added to the Sharks squad is starting to ease.