Bok star Eben Etzebeth's long-awaited return brings timely boost for Sharks

The Bok veteran is set to return at a crucial point in the season after serving the final match of his 12-game ban in the Sharks' victory over Cardiff at Kings Park.

It ends a lengthy spell on the sidelines following his suspension for an eye-gouging incident involving Wales’ Alex Mann in the closing minutes of South Africa's final match of their end-of-year campaign.

His absence has been keenly felt in Durban, with the towering second row missing a significant stretch of matches across both the United Rugby Championship and European competition.

Now, however, the Sharks head into a tricky knockout fixture against Connacht in Galway with their enforcer back in contention - a timely boost for head coach JP Pietersen, though the challenge remains steep.

Despite Etzebeth's return, the Sharks are traveling to Ireland without a host of senior Springboks, including Andre Esterhuizen, Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams and Bongi Mbonambi, raising concerns over the strength of the side selected for the knockout clash.

It leaves the Durban outfit facing a Connacht team on home soil with what could again be a depleted lineup - echoing last season's European campaign, where the Sharks fielded a second-string side in the round of 16 and suffered a heavy defeat away to Lyon.

Nevertheless, with one eye firmly on their final four URC matches as they push for a top-eight finish, Etzebeth's return bodes well for the Durban outfit, who appear to be prioritising a late URC surge over the Challenge Cup title they lifted in 2024.

The 34-year-old's comeback is also good news for the Springboks, who will be without RG Snyman for the foreseeable future after the lock was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.