There is growing concern about the future of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, especially after another “concussion-related” knock forced him to withdraw from the team to face England last weekend.
The Springboks have now withdrawn him from the remaining Nations Championship matches against Scotland and Wales to concentrate on recovery, and only expect him back for the Greatest Rivalry tour and the tests against the All Blacks, but the complicated history of South Africa’s most-capped player has raised concerns that he may be nearing the end of his career.
Etzebeth is now 34 and is entering the twilight of his career, but still is the most-capped Springbok at 141 caps and is heading to another World Cup if he can keep himself on the field.
But when it comes to concussion protocols, rugby is understandably concerned because of the long-term effects on players’ lives well past their playing days and given his complicated history with head knocks, there is a rising concern about his future.
To be clear, this has not been publicly discussed and the medical officials at both the Hollywoodbets Sharks and Springboks continue to act in the player’s best interests, including making the call to stand him down from the England game and keep him out for a prolonged period of rest to ensure that he is clear of any symptoms when he returns to the field.
Etzebeth has not played much in 2026, especially after serving a ban for an eye-gouge that took care of the first three months of the year, and then played only three games for the Sharks this season, with a calf muscle injury also keeping him out.
COMPLICATED CONCUSSION HISTORY
His concussion history is also complicated, including a three-month enforced resting period when he was playing for Toulon, after the enforced rest was triggered by three concussions in a single year, meaning Etzebeth was forced to rest and miss between 10 and 12 games for his French club at the time.
The first time Etzebeth had concussion that is recorded is way back in 2016 when a head knock against England at Twickenham ruled him out of the remainder of the November tour.
He was also sidelined in 2019 for the Stormers in Super Rugby as a concussion forced him off the field.
In 2024 he again was sidelined in the Champions Cup match against Exeter Chiefs when he took a blow to the head.
It was at that time that the Sharks were preparing to face Toulouse in January that it was decided to withdraw Etzebeth again, with then-coach John Plumtree detailing the reason why.
“Eben did very well with his concussion protocols during the week, but he developed a headache during a scrummaging session on the Wednesday and we pulled him out straight away,” said Sharks coach John Plumtree. “
WITHDRAWN AGAIN
He was supposed to return in February 2025 but was withdrawn again for an unspecified period of time, as symptoms returned again.
While he played in the latter part of the URC, the Sharks had acted conservatively to protect him.
In June, returning to the Springbok setup, Etzebeth spoke about his concussion struggles and the hamstring injury that also hit him during the URC.
I’ve recovered from everything; that’s all in the past,” he said of his injuries at the time. “Obviously, didn’t have such a good run at the Sharks with injury, concussion.
“It kept me out for about four, four and a half months, which wasn’t ideal. But, yeah, I recovered. I got a few games for the Sharks at the back end of the season. And then just suffered a small setback in training just before the semifinal.
“That was just a minor one. I’m fully back in training. I’m very excited for the Springbok season ahead.”
MENTAL CHALLENGE
He revealed at the time that it was a mental challenge he had to overcome.
“Yeah, I think you can look at it in two ways. Either negative or positive. I try to look at things in life in a positive manner,” said Etzebeth.
He played throughout the 2025 international season and made a significant impact for the Springboks, as he always does, right up until the moment he was cited against Wales in the final international match of the year.
Etzebeth returned to the Sharks, but sustained a hip injury and was ruled out for two months. He was due to play his first game back against England when he was withdrawn on the morning of the match.
Last month he also spoke about the frustration of the concussions and how it had kept him out of the game.
“With a concussion there’s not really a timeline, it’s how your symptoms are and how you respond to certain treatments. I think that was the frustrating part. Once or twice I thought I might be back and then more symptoms take a few more weeks off,” he said near the end of the URC.
“Then I picked up a hamstring [injury] and had to sit out a bit more. But now I'm happy to be back.”
CONSERVATIVE ROUTE
The Boks have taken the conservative route, and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has intimated that no chances will be taken and said Etzebeth needs a prolonged period on the sidelines.
"Eben needs some proper time off because of concussion, and he has a history of concussion, so I don't think Eben will play in these incoming matches," Erasmus confirmed this past Monday when naming his side to face Scotland.
Springbok injury updates:
— Avuyile Sawula (@av_sawula) July 7, 2026
Key updates on Eben Etzebeth, Ox, Siya
Sacha ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/muT0C2BjDV
Erasmus added that Etzebeth was looking to target a return for the All Black series in August.
Given the serious implications of concussions on players and the life-changing consequences it can cause, the Boks are correct in handling it this way.
At the end of the day all Springbok fans and Etzebeth’s team-mates want what is best for him long term.
But the spectre of concussion symptoms flaring up after a knock in training, and the implications thereof are a concern.
Etzebeth may return as expected and play a big role in the Springbok season, but it is understandable why caution is followed and why there is a growing concern about his welfare.