Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been handed a 12-match ban after being found guilty of an eye-gouging incident on Wales back-row Alex Mann.
The 34-year-old came on as a second-half substitute against Wales and was shown a straight red card in the 79th minute by French referee Luc Ramos.
Etzebeth was shown his marching orders after he was seen to eye-gouge Mann with his thumb in the Springboks’ 73-0 win over Wales last weekend.
The Springbok lock has since been found guilty and will only be available to play for the Sharks and the Springboks after 27 March next year.
“South Africa number 19, Eben Etzebeth, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.12 in the match between South Africa and Wales on Saturday 22 November 2025,” the disciplinary statement said.
“The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC, joined by former international players Leon Lloyd (England) and Becky Essex (England).
“Having considered the Player’s and other evidence and reviewed the footage, and for the reasons set out in the full written decision the Disciplinary Committee have determined that contact with the eye was intentional and a mid-range entry point of eighteen weeks/matches was appropriate. Some mitigating factors, including the Player’s previous record, were applied by the Committee reducing the eighteen week entry point by six weeks to twelve weeks/matches.”
The suspension will cover the following matches:
7 December 2025 – Toulouse v Sharks, EPCR Champions Cup
13 December 2025 – Sharks v Saracens, EPCR Champions Cup
20 December 2025 – Sharks v Bulls, United Rugby Championship
3 January 2026 – Lions v Sharks, United Rugby Championship
10 January 2026 – Sale Sharks v Sharks, EPCR Champions Cup
17 January 2026 – Sharks v Clermont, EPCR Champions Cup
24 January 2026 – Stormers v Sharks, United Rugby Championship
31 January 2026 – Sharks v Stormers, United Rugby Championship
21 February 2026 – Sharks v Lions, United Rugby Championship
28 February 2026 – Bulls v Sharks, United Rugby Championship
21 March 2026 – Sharks v Munster, United Rugby Championship
27 March 2026 – Sharks v Cardiff Rugby, United Rugby Championship
