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Eben Etzebeth's fate revealed

By @rugby365com
Thursday 4 Dec 2025

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has learnt his fate following an eye-gouging incident on Wales’ Alex Mann.

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, November 22 2025.

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 (which is available now in the discipline section of the Six Nations Rugby website), 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.

Article continues below…

Eben Etzebeth's fate revealed

Further explanation regarding the disciplinary process on the Six Nations website reads:

Etzebeth was adamant that he did not intentionally make contact with Mann’s eye.

The only explanation he gave for the movement of his hand from shoulder to face was that it must have been caused by the combination of the movement of people. He insisted it was not a deliberate or voluntary movement by him to Mann’s face. 

He said he did not feel Mann’s eye and did not know he had touched his eye at the time.

We also gave appropriate weight to the character testimonial from Ardie Savea.

*To read the full statement and disciplinary process, CLICK HERE!

The suspension will cover the following matches

December 7, 2025: Toulouse v Sharks (EPCR Champions Cup)
December 13, 2025: Sharks v Saracens (EPCR Champions Cup)
December 20, 2025:   Sharks v Bulls (United Rugby Championship)
January 3, 2026: Lions v Sharks (United Rugby Championship)
January 10, 2026:  Sale Sharks v Sharks (EPCR Champions Cup)
January 17, 2026: Sharks v Clermont (EPCR Champions Cup)
January 24, 2026: Stormers v Sharks (United Rugby Championship)
January 31, 2026: Sharks v Stormers (United Rugby Championship)
February 21, 2026: Sharks v Lions (United Rugby Championship)
February 28, 2026: Bulls v Sharks (United Rugby Championship)
March 21, 2026: Sharks v Munster (United Rugby Championship)
March 27. 2026:  Sharks v Cardiff (United Rugby Championship)

Etzebeth had also been deregistered by the Sharks ahead of their upcoming Champions Cup campaign.

Etzebeth is replaced by winger Phiko Sobahle, whilst injured Bok prop Ox Nche is replaced by Griquas’ Currie Cup-winning captain Cebo Dlamini.

Furthermore, Corné Rahl is replaced by JJ Scheepers, and Junior Bok Batho Hlekani replaces Manu Tshituka.

*The EPCR explains the process of replacing deregistered players below… 

Each club may register up to five Additional Players during the pool stage only, each to replace a player previously registered. A minimum of three Additional Players must be front row players, and two Additional Players can be from any position. Players must have a three-month contract with the club and must not have played for another club in the same tournament. Additional Player registrations must be submitted by 12 noon on the Wednesday before the match. Deregistered players may be re-registered (in place of the relevant Additional Players) during the pool stage.

For Second Registration, clubs can add up to three players to supplement their squads, and one of the players must be a front row player.

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