The 24-year-old has broken his silence after he found himself at the centre of the biggest story in world rugbyEtzebeth claimed he feared being “rag-dolled” by Mann(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Wales star Alex Mann has addressed the horror eye-gouging incident that placed him at the centre of the biggest story in world rugby following his side’s autumn international campaign.

The Cardiff backrower was involved in a scuffle with Springboks icon Eben Etzebeth in the closing moments of South Africa’s 73-0 demolition of Wales in November when the veteran lock made contract with the Welshman’s eye with his thumb, with TV replays shocking the crowd inside the Principality Stadium as well as those watching around the world.

Etzebeth’s actions were widely slammed as “disgraceful” and, after appearing before a disciplinary panel, he was banned from rugby for 12 weeks. He is expected to return to action in April, having missed much of the season for his club side Sharks.

While the 34-year-old Springbok has since taken to social media to apologise for making a “big mistake” and insist the act was not intentional, Mann has only now spoken out on the incident, admitting the fallout from it was “pretty mad”.

“I think I was getting sent clips of it every 30 seconds, to be honest with you,” said the 24-year-old, as he explained how he did not let the hype around the incident affect him.

“I didn’t really think about it. It is what it is. I didn’t really think twice, I just got on with my stuff and focused on what I have been doing.”

Etzebeth was banned for 12 weeks for his gouge on Mann

While the replays of the incident were damning, some social media users accused Mann of starting the incident by provoking Etzebeth with a gouge of his own, with Springboks legend Bryan Habana demanding an investigation into what happened as questionable footage emerged online.

The contentious online claims were promptly discredited by the findings of the disciplinary hearing, but the Cardiff star has admitted to feeling frustrated as the wholly inaccurate allegations circulated around social media.

“Obviously, it was frustrating because it wasn’t the truth,” he said. “I knew the truth and it was clear to see. There’s not much more I can say on that.

“Look, it’s in the past for me now. It was a bit of handbags and everyone could see what happened.”.

Mann, who will line up for Cardiff against Racing 92 on Saturday afternoon, also acknowledges that aggression and confrontation are part of the game, but it must happen “in the right way”.

“At the end of the day, it’s 15 men going out to hurt each other, in my eyes – in the right way obviously, not in a malicious way,” he said. “It’s contact sport, you understand what it is.

“You can take it over the edge sometimes, it’s natural. Everyone is human, but it’s just about learning from those experiences. It’s challenging in the right ways. It might come out wrong sometimes, but that’s all a learning curve.”

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