Eben: 'I didn't aim for his eyes'
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth revealed his version of events that led to the eye-gouging incident with Wales’ Alex Mann.
On Thursday, Etzebeth was banned for 12 matches after being sent off in the closing stages of last weekend’s 73-0 win in Cardiff.
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.
In the written decision provided by the Nations Series, Etzebeth’s statement was revealed.
“Welsh #7 [Mann] and I were both on the ground. We started pushing and shoving each other on the ground,” said Etzebeth.
“The shoving and pushing continued until we got onto our feet but nothing serious came of that. Just pushing and shoving each other. A few other players [from both sides] joined in, and the situation was basically deescalating and almost over.
“There were one or two Welsh players in between me and the Welsh #7. I got an open palm to the face in my upper neck/chin area by Welsh #7. I looked at the assistant referee to check whether he saw what the Welsh #7 did.
“I received no reaction from the assistant referee and Welsh #7 went on to pull my jersey towards him, again. At this time, I felt I had to start defending myself otherwise I’m going to be rag-dolled by Welsh #7. It was at that time that I wanted to push him against the shoulder to try and get hold of him, so he doesn’t continue to have control of me and my jersey.
“There were lots of other players involved. South African #20 [Marco van Staden] was behind the Welsh #7, and some of the Welsh players were between us. I made contact first with his shoulder. My hand went into his face. It was very quick, and the slow-motion showed that I made contact with his eye.”
Etzebeth added: “I did not, at any stage, aim for his eyes or intend to make contact with his eye.”
Meanwhile, Mann provided a statement dated December 1 in which he said: “…there was an altercation involving several players from both sides – I then felt a finger go into my eye followed by an open hand into my face. The South African number 19 [Etzebeth] apologised to me in the post-match function”
The written decision also revealed that the disciplinary committee “gave appropriate weight to the character testimonial from Ardie Savea.”
