Eben is among a few key players deregistered by the Sharks

It appears that the Hollywoodbets Sharks have already acknowledged that Eben Etzebeth will be facing a fairly long sanction after his red card for alleged eye-gouging last week.

The Springbok second row forward, the most capped South African international player, was among a list of Sharks players released on Thursday morning by EPCR, who manage the Investec Champions Cup, who have been deregistered by the Durban franchise.

Etzebeth was red carded for eye-gouging Welsh player Alex Mann towards the end of the test match between the Boks and Wales in Cardiff, a game that the visitors won 73-0. Etzebeth went in front of a Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday but the verdict and length of any suspension from the game will only be confirmed and announced on Sunday.

Eye gouging can fetch a ban of 12 months or more and it is anticipated that Etzebeth will spend a lengthy time out of the game so it is understandable if the Sharks have accepted the reality and have resolved to go on without him in the elite European competition, which kicks off on Friday night.

Etzebeth is not the only top player who will be absent from the Sharks squad in this edition of the Champions Cup, with loosehead prop Ox Nche, a finalist for the World Rugby Player of the Year Award that was won by Bok hooker Malcolm Marx, also among the list of players de-registered.

There has been nothing from the Sharks on their injury situation this week, but Nche did injure his leg in the Boks’ opening November tour game against Japan at Wembley and it can be assumed from the Sharks’ action that he will be out of rugby for a few months at least.

Manu Tshituka, considered a key member of the Sharks’ loose-forward pool, is another key player who has been de-registered and will therefore not be part of the Sharks’ campaign opening clash with mighty Toulouse in France on Sunday afternoon. Tshituka has been replaced by Junior Bok flanker Batho Hlenkani, who has played lock and flank for the Sharks but is understood to be heading to the Lions next season.

Flyhalf Siya Masuku’s fairly long absence because of an injury sustained before the international break has seen him de-registered, with Tukkies flyhalf Frederick Potgieter registered in his place. Nche will be replaced in the Sharks squad by the successful Currie Cup winning captain from Griquas, Clebo Dlamini, who was called into the Sharks squad at the start of their Vodacom URC campaign.

Phiko Sobahle replaces Etzebeth, while Corne Rahl, out with a long term injury, is replaced in the lock pool by JJ Scheepers, who is on loan from the Pumas. Etzebeth’s absence will compound what looks like a bit of a lock crisis for the Sharks, although Emile van Heerden is back from injury and played against Connacht last week as a replacement.

Meanwhile La Rochelle have deregistered big Australian lock Will Skelton, which will have an impact on the Stormers who are set to play La Rochelle in their second round match in Gqeberha on Saturday week.

The Stormers open their campaign by playing Bayonne in France on Friday night while their coastal neighbours will play Toulouse on Sunday evening. While the Stormers should be close to full strength, with just their three starting Boks in Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach missing from the selection to be made later on Thursday, that won't be the case for the Sharks as the top players will be in Durban preparing for next week's opening home Champions Cup clash with Saracens.

The Sharks play on Sunday whereas Saracens on Saturday in the first round of the competition, which means that Saracens will be in Durban before the Sharks players if they commit themselves to the Toulouse game. So the Sharks team to play the multiple champions is likely to be very under-strength.