South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has been suspended for 12 weeks after being found guilty of eye gouging during the Springboks' 73-0 victory over Wales in Cardiff last Saturday. The incident occurred in a scuffle with Wales' Alex Mann, with video evidence showing Etzebeth placing his right thumb in Mann's left eye.
Etzebeth, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner and the most capped Springbok with 141 Tests, received the first red card of his 13-year international career. He pleaded guilty to the charge and apologised for his actions.
An independent disciplinary committee deemed the gouge intentional and started the sanction at 18 weeks, but reduced it by six weeks due to Etzebeth's previous disciplinary record. The ban covers matches for the Durban-based Sharks from this weekend until the end of March; the Sharks had already deregistered Etzebeth in anticipation of a lengthy suspension.
Etzebeth was the third Springbok lock to be sent off during their unbeaten five-match tour of Europe in November. Lood de Jager received a four-match ban, while Franco Mostert's red card was rescinded.
