Etzebeth To Learn Red Card Fate On Tuesday 

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will appear before a disciplinary committee on Tuesday afternoon, where he will hear his fate, according to News 24, following the red card he received for an alleged eye gouge during last Saturday’s Test against Wales in Cardiff.

The Springboks hammered hapless Welsh side 73-0 – scoring eleven tries – inflicting their heaviest home defeat in history, but the game was marred by the unsavoury incident moments before the full-time whistle. 

The veteran lock was seen on replays making contact with the eyes of Welsh player Alex Mann using his fingers.

Footage from alternative angles then emerged, which seems to suggest that Mann’s fingers allegedly gouged Etzebeth first. 

Various esteemed rugby analysts have weighed in with their insight, which is sure to divide opinion.

Springbok legend and record try scorer, Bryan Habana, echoed what Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said – that it is a justified red card – but also said that there is no room for such actions in the game and anticipated a lengthy ban for the Springbok lock.

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett feels Etzebeth has no excuse for his actions and expects him to receive a lengthy suspension for his indiscretion. 

Mallet referenced a past incident involving one of his former players, Italy’s Mauro Bergamasco, who accidentally caught an opponent in the eye while not even looking and still received a 13-game ban – illustrating how seriously such offences are treated.

Japanese coach Eddie Jones took a different view, though, as he felt the real story is the crisis Welsh rugby is experiencing. 

“In the context of the game, I think it’s quite a minor incident,” Jones said.

“It’s not good for Eben, and I’m sure he regrets doing it. It looked intentional, which is not fantastic, but I think bigger issues are coming from the game.”

The South African public was largely unanimous in viewing the incident as dangerous and deserving of a ban, overshadowing what had been a commanding victory.

According to News 24, Etzebeth’s representatives will also put forward the lock’s case on Tuesday.

Gouging carries a lengthy ban in rugby, with the low-end point being 12 weeks, but cases have also resulted in over 24-week bans. Extreme cases have seen players banned for two years.

Unless the 141-Test veteran gets a ban in excess of 30 weeks, it should not affect his Springbok career; however, his club side, the Sharks, will suffer more heavily, as he could be ruled out for a significant portion of their season. 

The Durban-based side is going through a torrid time in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, languishing in 14th position with just one win from six matches.

They get their EPCR Champions Cup campaign underway on Sunday with a big match against French side Toulouse, in Toulouse.