Eben Etzebeth is set to appear at a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday following his red card for an alleged eye-gouging incident during South Africa's record 73-0 victory over Wales on Saturday. The verdict is expected on Wednesday, with the Springboks lock potentially facing a significant ban.
The incident occurred with two minutes left in the match at the Principality Stadium, when Etzebeth clashed with Welsh back-row Alex Mann. Referee Luc Ramos, after consulting with the television match official, issued a red card, stating: 'You have a clear finger in the eyes, so for me, it’s a permanent red card.'
A ban would impact Etzebeth's club, the Sharks, who begin their Champions Cup campaign against Toulouse on Sunday, followed by a match against Saracens. The maximum penalty for intentional contact with an opponent's eyes is four years, while lower-end offences carry a four-week suspension. Mid-range offences could result in an eight-week ban, and top-end offences 12 weeks, though the length may be reduced due to Etzebeth's good disciplinary record and his reported apology to Mann after the match.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus commented: 'It didn’t look good, I think it was a justified red card. How it happened and why it happened, and if he was provoked, I’m not sure. But that’s definitely not the way we would have liked to end the game.'
Similar incidents have led to bans for other players, including Makazole Mapimpi (three matches in January 2024), Henco Venter (six weeks in April 2024), Chris Ashton (10 weeks in 2016), and Dylan Hartley (six months in 2007).
