Eben Etzebeth is looking forward to the next major chapter in his rugby career after signing a long-term contract with the Sharks until 2027.
The Springbok star is set to depart Toulon and return home to South Africa in July of this year.
His return is a major coup for the domestic game in South Africa, and for the Sharks in particular, who are sure to be significantly strengthened by the World Cup winner’s addition.
Etzebeth joins a Sharks side already stacked with Springboks, including captain Siya Kolisi, hooker Bongi Mbonambi, centre Lukhanyo Am and several more, with the 30-year-old admitting that the prospect of joining up with so many of his teammates in the green and gold was a major reason behind his decision to head to Durban – along with being closer to home after several years abroad.
“These are exciting times,” Etzebeth said from France.
“I’m looking forward to coming to the Sharks and living in Durban and I expect this to be a wonderful chapter in my career.
Hello again uncle @EbenEtzebeth. Welcome to @SharksRugby family brother. pic.twitter.com/mwyLCa6FQa
— Siya Kolisi (@SiyaKolisi) February 17, 2022
“Family and being closer to home was a big motivating factor, as well as being able to represent a great team like the Sharks.
“I can see things are happening there, Siya [Kolisi] is there and we’ve been friends since were in the provincial Under 19s together and now we will get to play for the Sharks together. Along with my Springbok teammates Bongi Mbonambi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Thomas du Toit, all guys I know well. I’m also really excited to meet a few new guys.
“I’m looking forward to playing at The Shark Tank, the local derbies against the Bulls, Stormers and Lions will be awesome. I’m looking forward to being back in South Africa and playing in front of the Sharks fans there.”
Etzebeth added that he did his homework on the team that was courting him, speaking to some of his fellow Boks already in Durban before making his decision.
The tank just got a whole lot more dangerous! Welcome to the family @EbenEtzebeth 🖤 #OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/qxYz75BOWM
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) February 17, 2022
“I chatted to Siya, I gave Thomas a call and chatted to them. Off the field, things work, on the field we can see things are working and the team is doing well, I enjoyed watching the last game against the Bulls and the victory away from home and this is a brand I definitely want to be associated with and which I’m proud to be joining.”
Meanwhile, Sharks CEO Dr Ed Coetzee was understandably delighted at the acquisition.
“Attracting a player of Etzebeth’s calibre underlines the importance The Sharks place on building a winning squad, which is aligned to the vision of being the biggest franchise in world rugby,” he said.
“We’re also focused on building a strong group of players for a number of years, not just the immediate future and Eben’s long-term contract reflects this.
“We want to create a winning culture here at The Sharks across the board and from a team perspective, bringing players who have achieved at the highest level helps in our goal of achieving this.”
