It was recently confirmed that Eben Etzebeth has been suspended for 12 weeks/games after an independent disciplinary panel determined that he was guilty of serious foul play in the Springboks’ final Test of the year.
The disciplinary panel decided that Etzebeth had made intentional contact with the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann, and a “mid-range” entry point of 18 games was settled upon as an appropriate sanction, reduced to 12 due to mitigating factors.
Eben Etzebeth has now taken to social media to provide his version of events alongside some video clips.
Eben Etzebeth’s full Instagram post:
Hey Everyone
I’ve been quiet, but now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanation
First of all, this is not a post to show that I was not guilty, I accept guilt. I made a mistake and I’m willing to serve a suspension which I deserve.
I don’t want young kids who look up to the Springboks to think that it’s OK to eye gouge someone, because it’s not, but unfortunately mistakes happen and I made a big one for which I’m sorry.
But I’d like to answer the question – why did you do such a thing?
It was a mistake caused by my reaction and other factors that played a role.
Slide 1: The scuffle was basically over when Wales #7 struck me with an open hand to my chin/neck area, you can see me looking at the Assistant Referee and waiting for a reaction from him (it happened fast and it’s understandable that he didn’t see it) without reacting yet, I got another pull on my jersey, before I go in with the similar type of action.
Slide 2: You can clearly see my first point of contact is against his shoulder with an open hand, just like he did, except he got me on the chin. Another thing worth mentioning, when he struck me, I was standing still with not a lot of movement or players trying to get involved. When I went for the same open hand towards his shoulder, you’ll see 2 Welsh players changing the dynamic of the entire picture as well as one of my teammates pulling Wales #7 around his neck away from my hand and where my force is going.
Slide 3: Another Camera Angle
So why did I post this?
To try and show people how everything happened and that it was never intentional. I would never do something like this on purpose, I know what the consequences will be after playing rugby for a few years.
Thanks to everyone that stood by me and thought the best of me. I’m sorry for letting you and the game down. That was my first red card since I started playing. I want it to be my last.
To the people that were angry and upset with my actions, I understand – because it didn’t look good on the slow motion replay and hopefully you’ve got a bit more context now.
The disciplinary body, operating under the Quilter Nations Series, made the following determinations as set out in their official statement:
- This was an offence of foul play contrary to law 9.12, as admitted by the Player.
- As the Player rightly admitted, that act of foul play met the red card threshold.
- It was an offence of contact with the eye of an opponent, not eye area.
- It was intentional contact with W7’s eye.
Full Disciplinary Verdict
- Offense finding: The Disciplinary Committee determined that the contact with the eye was intentional.
- Entry Point: Based on the finding of intentional contact, a mid-range entry point of eighteen weeks/matches was deemed appropriate under World Rugby’s sanctioning framework.
- Note: For ‘Intentional Contact with Eye(s)’, the mid-range entry point is 18 weeks, the low-end is 12 weeks, and the top-end is 24+ weeks.
- Mitigating factors and reduction: The Committee applied mitigating factors, including the player’s previous record, reducing the eighteen-week entry point by six weeks to a final sanction of twelve weeks/matches.
- Player testimony: Etzebeth denied making intentional contact, stating that he and the Welsh player, Alex Mann, were shoving each other. He claimed he intended to push Mann against the shoulder to gain control after Mann had pulled his jersey and hit him with an open palm. He stated he “did not, at any stage, aim for his eyes or intend to make contact with his eye.”
- Panel’s counter-finding: The disciplinary panel was satisfied that Etzebeth “knew what he was doing” as the footage showed his thumb in Mann’s eye for “roughly one second” and he “continued pushing down, still grimacing” as Mann bent away. They concluded it was “intentional targeting of the face and eye” and he did not desist until pulled apart.
You can read the full verdict here
Sharks matches he will miss
Champions Cup
7 December: Toulouse vs Sharks
13 December: Sharks vs Saracens
10 January: Sale vs Sharks
17 January: Sharks vs Clermont
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
