Ireland great claims Eben Etzebeth’s ‘inexcusable’ actions based on Springboks mentality which has become ‘part and parcel’ of Rassie Erasmus’ squad
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth and head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan has claimed that Eben Etzebeth’s actions were based on the Springboks’ “belligerent defiance”, which he believes has become a key part of their mentality.
South Africa’s star second-row was sent off in their 73-0 demolition of Wales at the weekend for eye-gouging opposition flanker Alex Mann.
Etzebeth is therefore set for a spell on the sidelines with a disciplinary panel deciding his fate this week.
The decision has been reportedly delayed until Sunday, but Lenihan expects the Springboks powerhouse to be handed a “long ban”.
While the 66-year-old is “not entirely convinced” the forward did it intentionally, putting your fingers or thumbs in someone’s eyes remains one of the most heinous acts on a rugby field.
Spate of Springboks red cards
It was the third permanent red card the Boks received in November with Etzebeth following fellow locks Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert in being dismissed.
Mostert’s was rescinded but De Jager was handed a four-week suspension and the Sharks second-row looks set to join him in sitting out some games.
“If Mostert’s card for a high hit on Italian out-half Paulo Garbisi was correctly overturned on appeal —yet another example of the level of inconsistency from officials throughout the month — Etzebeth’s reckless eye gouge of Alex Mann will result in a long-term ban,” he wrote in his Irish Examiner column.
“I’ve been an admirer of the big Sharks lock since he emerged on the international stage back in 2012 to become the most capped Springbok of all time.
“However, his actions on this occasion were inexcusable. Bear in mind, he’d just scored a try, South Africa’s 11th on a humbling afternoon for Wales, to propel his team into a 0-73 lead.”
Why Eddie Jones believes Eben Etzebeth’s eye-gouge was ‘a minor incident’
Springboks mentality
Etzebeth is never one to take a backwards step and quite regularly finds himself in the middle of these scuffles, but this time his actions crossed the line.
However, Lenihan reckons that it is all part of the current Springboks mindset, which is mainly about physical domination and intimidation.
“I’m not entirely convinced he meant to gouge Mann, only he can answer that. However, his response to one of these all too frequent modern day scuffles where everyone runs in, grabs an opponent’s jersey and looks tough, was pointless.
“It’s all centred on the belligerent defiance that’s become part and parcel of this South African squad. It manifests itself in different ways.”