Eben Etzebeth: Will miss All Blacks clash
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South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has been banned for two weeks for head-butting Australian counterpart Nathan Sharpe in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash.
Etzebeth was found guilty at a SANZAR hearing after he thrust his head into the face of the Wallabies veteran in the 25th minute of Australia's come-from-behind win in Perth.
The 20-year-old will miss their encounter with New Zealand but can return for home games against Australia and the All Blacks after his ban ends on September 24.
Etzebeth has been one of the Springboks' best forwards in what has been a poor first Rugby Championship under new coach Heyneke Meyer.
They battled to a draw with newcomer Argentina, then slipped to a fifth straight loss to Australia on Saturday.
In injury news, team doctor Craig Roberts said that wing Bryan Habana should be fit for this weekend's clash with the All Blacks in Dunedin after sustaining an ankle injury against Australia, but props Jannie du Plessis (hamstring) and Pat Cilliers (elbow) are in doubt.
Meyer said that front-row replacements are likely to be summoned from South Africa.
"We are concerned but we will give the guys until tomorrow before we make a final call," he said.
"We do have Dean Greyling on the bench but he is a loosehead. It is also difficult now just to call someone in who might not play. We need to make the right call there."
Comments
melkdave says...
Not a good call imo,yes he offers experiance which seems to be HMs matra atm,But it is again looking to the past and 07,and is selection on reputation ,HM must be hoping his name alone sparks a very ordiniary SA pack.It also will do nothing to expand the SA gameplan in dire need of some ivention ,or creatativity..Myself i would have called up J.Muller from Ulster if no locks in SA are of required quality ,and by looks of it they wherent,,his experianced, and a leader Capt of Ulster atm and offers more than Bakkies around the pitch.,and in the lineout .But then thats just my opinion.and we all know just how good HM and Co's selections have been so far..Personnally i dont understand how his seemingly been totally forgotten by SA fans and management.
Posted 13:11 10th September 2012
scot_rsa says...
Cue the Bakkies-haters. Bring back the legend I say, can't wait to see him back if only for a cameo. Go Bakkies!
Posted 12:39 10th September 2012
Ramage says...
Cmon guys be fair, Meyer has no options left his locks are young and inexperienced similar to the All Blacks but he has to strengthen his team in view of what has happened. For the second time I agree with his selection. Whether he will be a starter is yet to be seen, I doubt it, but then this is Meyer, so who knows. He also made sense with his statement about front rowers for taking someone out of Currie Cup who has no guarantee of playing is a terrible call to have to make.
Posted 12:30 10th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Gotta love it. Replace a player banned for foul play with Botha. If Botha offends I think the coach should be red carded for next game. That would do the Boks a favour.
Posted 12:24 10th September 2012
ben7 says...
WTF!! 2 week ban!! He literally just touched him with his head!!!! Like Tana Umaga said, "its not tiddlywinks"
Posted 12:18 10th September 2012
stumpy says...
I dont watch much super 15, but Meyer shouldnt rule out also looking abroad for a replacement for a tighthead. They have some real class tightheads like Mujati and many props playing for the Irish provinces.
Posted 12:02 10th September 2012
passtheball says...
Thought we had seen the Bakkies of Botha. Suspend the petty thief and bring in the career crim. Odds on for a yellow by half time.
Posted 11:55 10th September 2012
APV1 says...
It'll be Smit next...
Posted 11:48 10th September 2012