The Sharks are in negotiations with Eben Etzebeth's representatives about luring the Springbok lock back to South Africa from French Top 14 side Toulon.
Etzebeth made his return to action for his club side Toulon in the French Top 14 on Saturday after being forced to take a three-month break from rugby due to suffering a third concussion in the space of 12 months during the Boks’ defeat to England in November.
The 30-year-old is reportedly unhappy in France, especially after he was labelled by Toulon club president Bernard Lemaitre as a “handicap” because he is “expensive, regularly injured and often away on Test duty”.
Etzebeth joining would be a massive coup for the Sharks and their CEO has confirmed that negotiations over the Bok enforcer’s return are currently ongoing, but did say it depends on “how badly he wants come back to SA” as he would need to “take a substantial salary cut”.
“His stuff is still a little complicated,” Coetzee told TimesLive. “We are looking at lock. We would love to get him, but he is on a big contract so he’ll have to get out of his contract and be prepared to take a substantial salary cut.
“I think Eben might get out. We are discussing this with his representatives and we are trying to push this to an end.
“We have to stay within our means. We can’t put things at risk because of an emotional decision. It depends how badly he wants to come back to SA. I think he is contracted until the Rugby World Cup.”
