Latest news with #Eben
The South African
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springbok Concern? Plumtree provides Etzebeth injury update
Springboks great Eben Etzebeth was ruled out of last Saturday's URC semi-final clash against the Bulls following a head knock during training. The match ended in the latter's favour, who won 25-13 under Loftus lights. Heading into the match Sharks coach John Plumtree provided an injury update on the two-time World Winner: that he would be available if they advanced to the final, which will be music to ears of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus. It's been a tumultuous time for South Africa's most capped player, who was sidelined for several months after picking up a concussing against Exeter Chiefs last December. A relapse in symptoms prolonged his recovery. 'He got a head knock at training, but he's feeling a lot better already. We decided that it's best not to risk him this week, so we made a pretty early call,' Plumtree said last friday. 'He's feeling a lot better by the way, he's been communicating with me and the team, and I'm not overly concerned about it. I'm pretty sure that if we go through, he'll be available next week.' 'Eben's probably the best lock in the world so it's a big loss, but the thing is it's a team game. One person doesn't make this team and we've won games without him this year,' Plumtree added. 'Jason is a big loss for us too. He played a pivotal role for us, with Eben being out for so much. He's played at four, and he's played at five. It's really disappointing not to see him in the Springbok squad at the moment as well. I think he deserves to be there.' 'Obviously Corne is a different player to Emile, in so many ways. Corne's more abrasive, and Emile's the ball winner, and a smart player and a good developer in his leadership as well. We've got full backing of the boys, and the boys are really pleased they've got this opportunity.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Centurion community welcomes brave Eben back home from hospital
Ten-year-old Eben Beukes received a hero's welcome back home from hospital on June 6 as he was welcomed by a convoy of emergency vehicles, community patrollers, Hennopspark school teachers and learners. His arrival, embraced by his community, marked an emotional milestone for his family and neighbourhood that stood by him through his journey suffering a life-limiting condition. Eben suffered severe medical complications in December during treatment, when he had contracted Covid-19. Lyttelton CPF chairperson Merle van Staden said they have been with the family through every step, with father Hendrik being very involved in all his son's needs. 'When Eben got sick in January, Hendrik kept me updated. We visited Eben in hospital during his first operation in February. We prayed and supported them throughout. We continued to visit and stay in contact as Eben's condition changed,' said Van Staden. She said that as the CPF, their main aim went beyond crime prevention, but also ensuring their involvement in serving and strengthening the community. 'This was not just a convoy, it was about showing Eben and his family that they are not alone, that we walk this journey with them.' Following a public appeal for help in April, Hendrik said the response has been heartwarming. 'From strangers who donated R50 to corporates reaching out with offers of equipment, every cent and every prayer has mattered. Emotionally, the messages, visits, and check-ins have helped us not feel alone,' he said. He was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude on the day of his son's arrival. 'Eben finally came home permanently on June 6. It was a day filled with emotion and gratitude. It was incredibly emotional. As a father, I stood there holding back tears. Seeing the school teachers, friends, family, strangers, and neighbours line the streets for Eben reminded me that we're not alone. It was a reminder of humanity's beauty,' Hendrik said. He said that having Eben home has brought peace and hope. Hendrik explained that since coming home, Eben has been stable but still requires complex care, including suctioning, feeding through a tube, and close medical monitoring. 'He couldn't speak, but we could see it in his eyes. He knew something special was happening. His body reacted to the sounds and movement. There was a calmness and alertness we hadn't seen in a while,' he said. He explained how they are adapting to the situation as a family. 'Ane, Eben's sister, has been a rock. She's mature beyond her years – strong, loyal, and deeply compassionate. We cry together, but we also laugh. As a family, we rely on faith and each other daily.' Hendrik also acknowledged the CPF and EMS for their quick response throughout Eben's journey. 'We mentioned Eben's return on social media, and amazingly, the CPF and EMS reached out to us. They offered support without hesitation and co-ordinated the route and logistics. We didn't expect such a beautiful display of community spirit.' He said this experience has taught him that parenting isn't about fixing things, but about standing firm, even when broken. 'Hope is not naive, it's a choice you make every morning, and without others, we wouldn't have made it this far,' he said. He added that they have made progress with the support they have received, but are still short in covering long-term care. 'We also welcome any donations of medical supplies, nappies or time.' Hendrik said they are still accepting donations through their official BackaBuddy page and corporate donations through Caring Daisies to supply tax certificates. If you would like to reach out or help the family, contact Hendrik on 061 462 1420. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The South African
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Americans reacts to Eben Etzebeth: 'Don't mess with him!'
An American basketball player has hilariously reacted to scenes of Eben Etzbeth doing what he does best on the pitch – brawling and intimidating his opponents. The highest-capped Springbok is known for being one of the 'scariest' players in the game, thanks to his fierce appearance and attitude. In a viral TikTok video, US basketball player Kolton Kohl reacted to a clip of Eben Etzebeth on the pitch. He said: 'I am looking at him and he is the BrocLesnarer of rugby…Imagine being the ref trying to talk to him!' Comparing Eben to a 'steel pole', he added: 'Don't mess with him!' @rugby_overdose American🇺🇸 reacts to Eben Etzebeth for the first time #rugby #viral #xyzbca #like #follow #bighits #tackle #worldcup #rugbyhits #bestsport #rugbyforlife #rugbyplayer #rugbyleague #rugbylife #schoolboyrugby #rugbyedits #rugbyexercise #rugbyworld #rugbyworldcup #springboks #japan #allblacksrugby #australia #england #ireland #fiji #france #2024 #2025 ♬ original sound – Rugby Overdose It's not the first time Eben Etzebeth has had grown men on the internet quivering at the sight of him. Last year, a UFC commentator labelled Eben a 'monster' after he was spotted with World Champion Dricus du Plessis. 'Who is that guy?' the man asked. Meanwhile, Eben Etzebeth will soon swap his aggressive antics for daddy duty as he prepares to welcome another baby. Last month, the lock and his wife Anlia announced that they were expecting their second child, a baby girl. Anlia – a professional singer -announced in a sweet Instagram post. The couple wed in 2023 and a year later welcomed their first daughter. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anlia Etzebeth (@anliastar) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Roodies host braai-send off for Comrades athletes
The Roodepoort Athletics Club hosted a motivational send-off braai for its members who will be participating in the 98th edition of the prestigious Comrades Marathon this past weekend. The iconic ultra-marathon, set to take place on Sunday, June 8, will see 40 of the club's runners take to the streets from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. The braai took place on Saturday, May 31, and saw family, friends, club members and supporters alike come out in numbers to support these runners. According to Conrad de Buys, the chairperson of the club, this year they have 10 first-time runners, two members tackling their 10th, and one veteran runner who will be marking their 30th Comrades. Also read: Duo conquers Two Oceans Conrad proudly noted that this year's contingent of Comrades runners has surpassed previous years, making it the club's most successful year yet in terms of novice participation. 'We wish all our athletes the very best for the Comrades Marathon. Our road coach, Judge Mongale, has guided them through a rigorous training programme, with early morning and late evening sessions throughout the year. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each athlete for their hard work and dedication, as well as to the committee for their unwavering support behind the scenes,' said Conrad. Additionally, the runners will be wearing blue awareness ribbons to raise awareness about cerebral damage and also to support Eben Beukes, whose life took a devastating turn when he contracted Covid-19. Eben and his father, Hendrik Beukes, are closely related to one member of the club, Hannetjie Venter. Also read: Roodie athletes conquer Two Oceans 'Eben suffered multiple strokes and extensive cerebral damage. Practically overnight, this vibrant, loving child became completely dependent on full-time care. He now requires 24-hour palliative support, including nursing care, feeding assistance, medical equipment and basic necessities like diapers and hygiene products,' said Hannetjie. The day was more than just a social gathering; it was filled with lovely messages and words of encouragement from those who have walked this path before, and it also commemorated true friendships and camaraderie. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Maverick
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Etzebeth blow for Sharks on eve of URC semi-final against charging Bulls at Loftus
The United Rugby Championship semi-finals featuring the Bulls versus the Sharks, and Leinster against Glasgow, all take place this weekend. As if a trip to Loftus to face the Bulls in the most important game of the year weren't a challenging enough prospect for the Sharks, they will have to do it without their totem Eben Etzebeth. The Springbok great's injury-plagued season continued with a 'head knock' that will keep him out of the United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Bulls in Pretoria. Etzebeth's performance in last week's dramatic semi-final win over Munster, which went to a penalty shootout, was immense. His quality and experience is irreplaceable. Missed four months More worryingly though, Etzebeth missed nearly four months of the season with complications from a concussion. Another head injury, which is severe enough to keep him out of the URC semi-final, is reason for concern for the player. For the Sharks team, it's obviously not an ideal situation either. The up side is that the Sharks are littered with quality in other positions and have spent most of the campaign without Etzebeth's services. So, it shouldn't be as big a disruption as it might have been. Replacement Corne Rahl has enjoyed significant game time this season, knows the systems and gameplan well and is an honest toiler. He will join Emile van Heerden in the second row. As for the rest of the Sharks lineup, there is vast experience, albeit not in URC play-offs, much proven quality and some new rising stars such as wing/centre Ethan Hooker. In fact, the dry, highveld conditions might better suit the Sharks style than the often slippery, hot and humid conditions they endure in Durban. Calm face from coach Coach John Plumtree presented a calm face before the game. 'He (Eben) got a head knock at training, but like I say, he's feeling a lot better already,' Plumtree said. 'He took a knock at training and we decided that it's best not to risk him this week, so we made a pretty early call. 'He's feeling a lot better, by the way, he's been communicating with me and the team, and I'm not overly concerned about it, I'm pretty sure that if we go through (to the final), he'll be available next week. 'Best lock in the world' 'How much of a loss (is Etzebeth)? Eben's probably the best lock in the world so it's a big loss, but the thing is it's a team game; one person doesn't make this team and we've won games without him this year.' The Sharks will also be without the services of one-cap Bok Jason Jenkins. The lock suffered an injury against Munster, further depleted the Sharks' second row stocks. 'Jason is a big loss for us too. He played a pivotal role for us, with Eben being out for so much; he's played at four, and he's played at five,' Plumtree said. 'It's really disappointing not to see him in the Springbok squad at the moment as well. I think he deserves to be there. 'Obviously Corne is a different player to Emile, in so many ways. Corne's more abrasive, and Emile's the ball winner, and a smart player and a good developer in his leadership as well. We've got full backing of the boys, and the boys are really pleased they've got this opportunity.' Semi experience The Bulls will tread a well-worn path with their third appearance in the URC semi-finals. For the men from KwaZulu-Natal, a URC semi-final is uncharted territory, although a visit to the cathedral of rugby in Pretoria, is not. Overall in the URC, the Bulls lead the head-to-head 3-2 at Loftus. But the Sharks have had the Bulls' number this season. Plumtree's men have won both games in the 2024/2025 URC campaign, including a 29-19 win in round 11 back in February. The Bulls's set piece will obviously be a weapon, one which they love to deploy. They have won the most scrum penalties this year (60) and made the most maul metres (439) off the back of their impressive lineout. Tighthead prop, the colossal Wilco Louw, who stands 1.85-metres and weighs 144kg, has been a huge part of that set piece impact. He and the rest of the pack have provided a strong platform for the likes of dazzling No 8 Cameron Hanekom and fullback Willie le Roux to shine. 'Wilco is a wonderful person off the field… he's almost among those hidden figures of the squad, who are so instrumental to our work do not get the praise that is probably deserved,' Bulls coach Jake White said after Louw was nominated for URC Player of the Year. 'It's amazing to see someone like Wilco being shortlisted. It's something that is very rare, to see a prop being given the spotlight, especially someone like him, who just goes about his job — a man of few words.' His actions have positive consequences though. When it comes to making 22-metre entries count, the Bulls are lethal with an average of 2.7 points per entry. Minimise errors The key then for the Sharks, is keeping the Bulls away from the red zone. An intelligent kicking game, and controlling possession, are ways to achieve that, especially as centre Andre Esterhuizen, wing Makazole Mapimpi and Hooker are such penetrative weapons. Esterhuizen is the bludgeon while Mapimpi and Hooker are a combination of power and finesse. Hooker made two line breaks last week and beat 10 defenders — the most in the match. Mapimpi made four clean breaks last week, showing that despite being 34, he is still one of the best wings in the country. Unsurprisingly, Esterhuizen has made the most dominant carries in URC this season with 46, while also making the second-most post-contact metres (219). When it comes to giving a team attacking momentum, there are few better than Esterhuizen. In No 8 Cameron Hanekom, the Bulls have one of the sport's true rising stars. He operates almost like an auxiliary back, making significant post-contact metres — he made 32 metres in the quarterfinal against Edinburgh last week. There are salivating match-ups everywhere but like most play-offs, collectively doing the basics well will be more important than individual flair. One missed tackle, one dropped pass, or moment of ill-discipline, can undo the best work in an instant. Play-offs come down more to eliminating errors than flashes of brilliance. Leinster desperate After three seasons of near misses and a barren trophy cabinet, Leinster have a chance to atone for their failure in the European Champions Cup again, by winning the URC for the first time. They have to beat defending champions Glasgow in Dublin though, to advance to face either the Bulls or Sharks. And history has shown that for all their pedigree, Leinster have battled to close the deal in recent seasons. Leinster have lost three semi-finals in succession — twice to the Bulls and once to Munster. They need to put that right. 'You have to handle the pressure of the game. It's not about peaking. You have to handle the pressure of a knockout game because there is a lot more pressure,' Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber said this week. 'If you think South Africa played in the World Cup and lost to Ireland, yeah it's bad, but it's not defining. Knockouts are defining. You can be as good as you want to and play as brilliant rugby as you want to in the league stage of the competition. 'Where it counts is you just have to make sure you are a little bit better than the team you play against on that specific day of a knockout game. We must just be better than Glasgow this weekend. That's all. Like last weekend, we just had to be a little bit better than Scarlets.' DM Fixtures: 7 June
