Etzebeth Fate Disclosed As Enforcer Gets 12-Week Ban
Springbok and Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth was handed a 12-match ban after being found guilty of intentional contact with the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann in South Africa’s 73-0 victory against Wales last Saturday.
The incident, which occurred just before the full-time whistle, resulted in Etzebeth’s thumb making contact with Mann’s eye. French referee Luc Ramos issued a permanent red card to the two-time World Cup-winning lock in his first game officiating the Springboks.
The fracas caused mass uproar the world over and seemed to overshadow the record victory for the Rugby World Cup Champions.
The disciplinary committee considered Etzebeth’s act ‘intentional’ and, in terms of sanction, a mid-range entry point of 18 weeks was applied.
Six weeks of this were removed due to mitigation owing to Etzebeth’s plea of guilt, apologising, his good conduct and previous good record – having never been sent off in Test rugby previously in his storied 141-cap Test career.
Earlier in the day, before his sanction, Etzebeth was among a list of players the Sharks deregistered from the Investec Champions Cup. This only fueled speculation that the legendary lock was set for a lengthy ban. He will be replaced by Phiko Sobahle.
His absence is sure to be a major blow to a Sharks side already struggling in the URC this season.
Etzebeth is expected to miss the following matches:
Investec Champions Cup
7 December: Toulouse vs Sharks
13 December: Sharks vs Saracens
10 January: Sale vs Sharks
17 January: Sharks vs Clermont
Vodacom URC
20 December: Sharks vs Bulls
3 January: Lions vs Sharks
24 January: Stormers vs Sharks
31 January: Sharks vs Stormers
21 February: Sharks vs Lions
28 February: Bulls vs Sharks
21 March: Sharks vs Munster
27 March: Sharks vs Cardiff
The Sharks have been in this position before with their towering lock, who missed five months of action last season. Etzebeth suffered a concussion against the Exeter Chiefs during the pool stage of the Investec Champions Cup on 7 December at Kings Park Stadium.
The 34-year-old returned in April this year against Edinburgh in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship away, playing the entire match as the Sharks claimed a 17–18 victory.
The Sharks went as far as the semi-finals last season but were knocked out by Jake White’s Bulls. Now, the question is whether they can cope without one of the best locks in the world.
