South Africa international Eben Etzebeth to join Sharks
Eben Etzebeth has played 95 Tests for South Africa
©PA
Sharks have confirmed the signing of South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth at the end of the 2021/22 season.
Etzebeth is currently associated with Toulon but has been granted an early release from his contract that will see him leave the French club at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Etzebeth managed to help Toulon in their unlikely win over Bordeaux begles, and now they are odds on to avoid relegation despite being 16th in the Top 14 table.
Earlier, Toulon president Bernard Lemaître labelled Etzebeth as a ‘handicap’ because he was unavailable to play due to injuries or international duty.
“Eben Etzebeth has expressed his desire to put an early end to the contract binding him to Toulonnais in order to return, for personal reasons, to South Africa," read a Toulon statement.
"Aware of the difficulties encountered by the player, the club took note of this request and accepted it.”
The 30-year-old will reunite with his former Stormers teammates Siya Kolisi and Bongi Mbonambi and Springboks stars Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Thomas du Toit at Sharks.
“I am sad to have to leave Toulon and my teammates at the end of the season but personal reasons force me to do so," said Etzebeth.
“Toulon and its supporters welcomed me… I have the will to give everything with this team until the end of the season, to allow Toulon to perform, to move up in the standings and to be ambitious in the Challenge Cup.”
The 6ft 8in lock started his career with provincial side Western Province and went on to make his Super Rugby debut with Stormers in 2012. He had a brief stint with Japanese club NTT DoCoMo in 2015 and 2016 before heading to Toulon in 2019.
Etzebeth has also featured in 95 Tests for South Africa that came between 2012 and 2021. He was part of the victorious 2019 World Cup squad that clinched the title after beating England in the final.
