International rugby might be finished for the year, but one topic that will be debated through to the end of 2025 will be Eben Etzebeth\u2019s red card in Cardiff, where referee Luc Ramos made a decision on an incident that could hurt the Springboks in 2026.<\/p>\n
The length of the ban is yet to be announced, but discussions are still circulating in rugby circles after the 73-0 victory in Cardiff, which was historic in its own right, ending as Wales\u2019 biggest ever defeat at home.<\/p>\n
Etzebeth\u2019s thumb to the eye of Alex Mann<\/a> could prove to be a huge moment in the veteran\u2019s career, depending on the length of the ban and the implications that it will have on the Springboks in 2026.<\/p>\n Just prior to the incident towards the end of the game, Etzebeth scored the last of the Springboks\u2019 eleven tries on the evening, barging his way over the line from close range after receiving a short pass close to the Wales<\/a> try line.<\/p>\n The 141-Test Springbok International was then caught in a scuffle with Mann, before the TMO and foul play review officer were called into action after the complaint from the Wales forward.<\/p>\n Longtime commentator for the Springboks and South African rugby, Matt Pearce, told Scotty & Izzy\u00a0on\u00a0Sport Nation\u00a0that no matter how long the experienced locks ban is, it overshadowed the convincing victory for the Springboks.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, marred the game, it was a great shame. I\u2019m sorry I can\u2019t tell you more because I left Cardiff quite early this morning. I didn\u2019t see any of the team, but you know, from what we saw on television, that could be a very lengthy ban,\u201d Pearce said.<\/p>\n Since the incident on the weekend, many people on social media have discussed the things that could have led to the Etzebeth red card, which Pearce says could mean that both players face bans in the near future.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, there are all sorts of posts going around that he had been gouged a couple of seconds before that. And if that is the case, then they must both face the consequences, but no place in the game for it,\u201d Pearce told Scotty & Izzy on Sport Nation.<\/p>\n