In an interview with Sport24, Tendai Mtawarira, also known as The Beast, who is a crucial member on the Sharks Board, explained how he and Bok captain, Siya Kolisi got the Enforcer to bite down on a Sharks contract.
"He wanted to come home and loved what the Sharks were doing", Beast told Sport24. "He sees the culture, he sees one of his best mates and he sees himself fitting into the team like a glove"
"Siya Kolisi gave a good testimony of what the Sharks are all about and Eben got excited. Marco Masotti (Sharks Boss) then worked very hard to make it work for him, financially, and everything else."
So there we have it. A crucial piece of information in what got Eben into a black and white jersey. The combination of a couple rugby Geniuses! Siya and the big Beast. That is honestly such a big win for us, we have signed some of the biggest names in Rugby in the last two years. Its almost as though the Sharks are trying to get themselves qualified into the next Rugby World Cup! They'd probably beat England to be fair.
"It just showed the Sharks vision and where they want to go: Creating a culture of excellence, for that to happen, you need a core group of players that can lead the way in creating that environment." -Beast
Etzebeth will be with the Sharks until 2027, joining his Bok buddies, Kolisi, Mbonambi, Nche, du Toit, Mapimpi, Notshe, Am, Nkosi and Fassi. A group of Springboks that already know how to win, who can teach the youngsters coming in and can lead when we need strong leaders.
A lot is happening this week in Rugby. We see people talking about Marcell Coetzee's possible return to a Bok jersey after an incredible run of form. We obviously see Eddie Jones claiming he knows how to stop the French sides rampant run in 2022, whether he gets that right or not is a different story. We also have some midweek fixtures in the Currie Cup:
Tafel Lager Griquas VS Sigma Lions (15:30)
Toyota Cheetahs VS DHL Western Province (17:45)
Vodacom Bulls VS Cell C Sharks (20:00)
The Bulls who have lost Bismarck Du Plessis due to that brilliant tip tackle he did this weekend, the man is still so damn strong, I am personally impressed by him. Rather unfortunate to have been given a red and a couple weeks ban. So he wont be in the Bulls side to face the Sharks.