Eben Etzebeth receives 12-match ban for eye-gouge

NZ Herald

4 Dec, 2025 05:53 PM2 mins to read

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Eben Etzebeth in action against the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport

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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 contact
with 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.