Eben Etzebeth's dream before the clash against Toulouse

As the Champions Cup resumes its rights this weekend for its 3rd daya match is particularly awaited by the oval planet and its followers: the duel between the Sharks and Stade Toulousain on the lawn of Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban this Saturday January 11 at 4:15 p.m.

A clash of the hemispheres, with almost complete teams, which risks overshadowing the other meetings. If the Toulouse residents will therefore be able to rely on their armada led by Antoine Dupont, the Sharks are also recording very significant returns, like that of Eben Etzebeth.

Etzebeth's thirst for Champions Cup titles

Resting for almost a month due to a concussion, the 33-year-old second row should make his comeback against Toulouse. A match which will probably determine the future of his team for the rest of the competition. Currently, 4th in the group with 5 units, the Durban troop needs points after a mixed start to the campaign with a home victory against Exeter (39-21) and a big defeat at Leicester (56-17).

Competitor at heart, the double world champion wants to see his team shine in this Champions Cup despite the reluctance of some as he underlines in the Times podcast The Ruck: “I think that players who have never played abroad and supporters do not yet understand the importance and value of this competition […] For me, it is by far the biggest competition in the world. Over the years, South African rugby and supporters will realize the magnitude and value of this title. If you win, you have a star on the jersey, it's something huge. »

A duel between “big guns”

Eben Etzebeth still concedes that the presence of teams from the southern hemisphere complicates logistics, schedules and ambitions… but for him it's all about adaptation : “We are the newcomers, we simply have to adapt. If we keep complaining, none of us will win […] It would be great if a South African team won in the near future. »

A success on the European scene that the Cape Town native already experienced last year with the Challenge Cup. But carrying the little sister of the Champions Cup in one's arms did not satisfy the Springbok with 131 selections : “We know that this is not the competition in which the big guys find themselves. I want to have more success with the Sharks in Europe. »

At this level, no worries, adversity is likely to be there this Saturday, January 11, at around 4:15 p.m., for Eben Etzebeth and his team who could not hope for tougher opposition with Toulouse residents who have been walking on water since the start of the European games.

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