Eben Etzebeth’s ban: Latest twist as verdict is delayed with World Rugby boss overseeing Springbok’s case
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth involved in a scuffle during the match against Wales.
Eben Etzebeth will only learn how long he will be banned on Sunday, according to reports.
The Springbok received the first red card of his career during the latter stages of South Africa’s comprehensive 73-0 drubbing of Wales at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Etzebeth’s verdict delayed
Referee Luc Ramos was left with no choice after he was notified by TMO Eric Gauzins that an act of foul play had occurred, and upon reviewing the footage, it was clear that Etzebeth had eye-gouged Wales flanker Alex Mann. Ramos duly issued a permanent red card.
Since the incident, many have theorised just how long Etzebeth could be banned for, and the verdict will only be reached on Sunday, despite the experienced lock fronting an independent disciplinary panel.
This is according to Afrikaans publication Netwerk24, who state that the panel was unable to agree upon an appropriate punishment for the veteran lock.
It is reported that the trial began around 7 pm on Tuesday and was adjourned shortly before midnight, with the panel requesting an adjournment until Sunday.
It is expected that Etzebeth’s legal team have argued that his actions were reckless and not intentional, the latter of which carries a hefty sanction according to World Rugby sanction guidelines.
Christopher Quinlan KC, the chairman of World Rugby’s Independent Judicial Panel, is chairing the panel, while Adv Adrian Montzinger has been tasked with defending Etzebeth.
Quinlan headed the hearing for Tadhg Beirne, following the Ireland lock’s red card against the All Blacks in Chicago. Beirne subsequently had his red card rescinded. He also chaired Johnny Sexton’s misconduct case after the Ireland fly-half’s heated exchange with Jaco Peyper after the Investec Champions Cup final, which Leinster lost 27-26, a game that he did not feature in. He was handed a three-match suspension for his actions but was cleared in time to feature at the start of Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.
Rassie Erasmus’ frank assessment of Eben Etzebeth’s red card
Mann cleared, reaction and possible ban length
Meanwhile, Wales’ Mann has been cleared of wrongdoing with screenshots of a ruck before the scuffle doing the rounds on social media, with many claiming that the Welshman eye gouged Etzebeth.
Former Ireland referee boss Owen Doyle weighed in on the debate in his Irish Times column.
“There are now suggestions that Etzebeth himself was provoked, that he was the recipient of a prior gouge with some pretty inconclusive video footage doing the rounds,” he wrote.
“But it cannot be a question of an eye for an eye, that’s a level of retaliation which cannot be acceptable. We’d all be livid if someone poked their finger into our eye, but to actually return the act is unthinkable.
“If provocation can be proved, then both gouges should be dealt with separately. Rugby cannot afford its judiciary to tread lightly on this one, there’s too much to lose.”
Ex-Springboks head coach Nick Mallett has predicted a heavy sanction for Etzebeth, though he did argue that the eye contact may well have been accidental.
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen because the video evidence was pretty clear,” he said on the Talking Boks podcast.
“You can argue about low tackles and all that sort of thing, and change of heights and mitigation, but in this one, there was a lot of anger on his face, and I can’t see a disciplinary hearing letting him off gently on this one.”
What could be the sticking point for the disciplinary panel is which category Etzebeth’s action fits into as there are three for eye-gouging: Reckless, intentional and contact with the eyes.
They carry the following sanction entry points:
Intentional Contact with Eye(s)*: Low-end: 12 weeks, Mid-range: 18 weeks, Top-end: 24+ weeks, Max: 208 weeks
Reckless Contact with Eye(s)*: Low-end: 6 weeks, Mid-range: 12 weeks, Top-end: 18+ weeks, Max: 208 weeks
Contact with Eye area*: Low-end: 4 weeks, Mid-range: 8 weeks, Top-end: 12+ weeks, Max: 52 weeks
READ MORE: Law discussion: Eben Etzebeth’s ban for an eye gouge unlikely to be nearly as harsh as you think
