Etzebeth says Sharks have no excuses for poor performances this season

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Hollywoodbets Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth says the Durban side has no excuses for the poor performances this season, and believes there is deep introspection that is needed from players as individuals and a collective. Etzebeth was speaking ahead of the Sharks return to action this weekend, as they will welcome Irish side Ulster to the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

Despite the Sharks onfield woes, the double World Cup winning Bok has enjoyed personal success by winning the SA Rugby Player of the Year award for the second year in a row, and could be fired up by his individual success as he is set to return to action this weekend. The second row hard man has been out for the past seven weeks after undergoing a minor operation on his knee.

The Sharks have had a terrible time in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this season, winning just one in eleven outings and suffering ten defeats, making it a really bad return for John Plumtree in Durban. However, they have enjoyed more success in the EPCR Challenge Cup, winning three of their four matches and sit at the summit of Pool 1. The Challenge Cup remains the Sharks only route for a return to the Champions Cup next season, as it is now Mathematically impossible to achieve that feat via the United Rugby Championship. Etzebeth says the Sharks have no excuses for the undepar performances this season, and the players need look themselves in the mirror after failing to execute plans.

“I think we haven’t had a good season so far, I think to be honest there is no excuses really I think we just need to take a hard look at ourselves as individuals and as a collective,” said Etzebeth speaking to media in an online conference.

“I do think we work hard, there is plans in place but somehow we not executing it which is dissapointing. We will be looking to rectify it for the rest of the season, we have got a couple of home games left and we will obviously target that. We want to target the Challenge Cup and see if we can go far in that competition, and try to make the last bit of the season a successful one.”

Picture: Gallo Imgaes