Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth has been banned from rugby until April after receiving a 12-match suspension for an eye gouge against Wales.
The two-time World Cup winner was red-carded after he eye-gouged Wales flanker Alex Mann in South Africa’s 73-0 win last weekend.
An independent disciplinary panel determined that contactwith the eye was intentional and a “mid-range” entry point of 18 games was appropriate as a sanction.
Mitigating factors, including the player’s previous record, resulted in the suspension being reduced to 12 weeks.
According to the Daily Mail, All Blacks vice-captain Ardie Savea provided a positive character reference for Etzebeth. The All Blacks and Springboks will meet in four tests next season as part of the new Greatest Rivalry series, starting in August.
Etzebeth will not miss any matches for the Springboks, with all 12 matches of the suspension coming under his club team, the Sharks, who play in the United Rugby Championship.
Etzebeth told the committee he did not intend to make contact with Mann’s eye.
“I made contact first with his shoulder. My hand went into his face. It was very quick and the slow-motion showed that I made contact with his eye. I did not, at any stage, aim for his eyes or intend to make contact with his eye,” Etzebeth said.
