Bok hardman Eben Etzebeth out for 12 weeks following eye-gouging incident

By SABC Sport
5th December 2025

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been handed a 12-week ban for getting his thumb in Wales player Alex Mann's eye.

The incident occurred in the dying embers of the Springboks' comprehensive 73-0 win over Wales on Saturday. The independent disciplinary committee initially met on Tuesday, but could not come to a conclusion.

"South Africa number 19, Eben Etzebeth, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 in the match between South Africa and Wales on Saturday 22 November 2025," read the committee's statement.

"Having considered the Player's and other evidence and reviewed the footage, and for the reasons set out in the full written decision, the Disciplinary Committee have determined that contact with the eye was intentional and a mid-range entry point of eighteen weeks/matches was appropriate. Some mitigating factors, including the Player's previous record, were applied by the Committee reducing the eighteen week entry point by six weeks to twelve weeks/matches."

The written judgement also indicated that All Black superstar Ardie Savea provided a character reference for Etzebeth. The straight red card was the 141-cap veteran's first in his storied career

The double World Cup winner's suspension will cover the following matches:

7 December 2025 - Toulouse vs Sharks, Champions Cup

13 December 2025 - Sharks vs Saracens, Champions Cup

20 December 2025 - Sharks vs Bulls, United Rugby Championship

3 January 2026 - Lions vs Sharks, United Rugby Championship

10 January 2026 - Sale Sharks vs Sharks, Champions Cup

17 January 2026 - Sharks vs Clermont, Champions Cup

24 January 2026 - Stormers vs Sharks, United Rugby Championship

31 January 2026 - Sharks vs Stormers, United Rugby Championship

21 February 2026 - Sharks vs Lions, United Rugby Championship

28 February 2026 - Bulls vs Sharks, United Rugby Championship

21 March 2026 - Sharks vs Munster, United Rugby Championship