Eben Etzebeth’s Red Card: A Potential Long-Term Ban for the Springboks Lock
The Springboks’ recent victory over Wales in Cardiff was marred by a controversial incident involving their lock, Eben Etzebeth. Etzebeth was sent off for an eye-gouging incident, which occurred just minutes before the end of the match. This incident has sparked discussions about the potential consequences for Etzebeth and the Springboks.
The incident took place as the Springboks were already secure in their lead, with a final score of 73-0, the heaviest defeat in Wales’ history on home soil. The Springboks’ dominance was evident, with 11 tries scored against an under-strength Welsh team. However, Etzebeth’s actions overshadowed the team’s impressive performance.
Etzebeth’s act was deemed intentional by the referee, Luc Ramos, after reviewing the footage with the television match official, Eric Gauzins. Under World Rugby’s sanctioning guidelines, intentional contact with the eye carries a minimum ban of 12 weeks, with a maximum of 208 weeks (four years).
This is not the first time Etzebeth has been involved in a red-card incident. He was previously dismissed in the win over France and given a four-match ban, which was later reduced to three after completing a ‘tackle school’ program. Franco Mostert’s sending off against Italy was also overturned by a disciplinary committee.
Etzebeth, who was winning his 141st cap, was brought on in the 52nd minute and scored one of the Springboks’ 11 tries. However, his performance was cut short by the red card. Springboks captain Siya Kolisi expressed his disappointment, stating that Etzebeth’s actions were not intentional and should not be the highlight of the game.
Kolisi also emphasized the importance of learning from such incidents, suggesting that facing similar challenges in the future will make the team stronger. South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus, in his post-match press conference, acknowledged the incident’s severity, stating that it justified the red card. However, he also expressed uncertainty about the exact circumstances and motivations behind Etzebeth’s actions.
The Sharks, Etzebeth’s club side, will begin their Investec Champions Cup campaign in Toulouse next Sunday. The Springboks, meanwhile, will not be in action again until the opening weekend of the new Nations Championship next year, when they will face England in Johannesburg on July 4, 2026. The potential ban for Etzebeth could significantly impact the team’s future plans and performance.