Eben Etzebeth breaks silence over eye-gouge ban, releasing new footage in apology post
The Springboks star faced a 12-week suspension after an eye-gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann, with his public stance now describing the act as a “big mistake.”
Etzebeth, the South Africa lock, received a lengthy ban after an independent disciplinary panel determined he intentionally made contact with Mann’s eye area during the closing moments of the Springboks’ 73-0 victory at the Principality Stadium. While Etzebeth pleaded guilty to the offense, he contended it was accidental—a claim the panel rejected, resulting in a three-month suspension.
The incident drew strong condemnation from former players and pundits, including some of Etzebeth’s former teammates, though the player itself had not spoken publicly until now.
In a multi-angle Instagram post, Etzebeth shared several video perspectives of the moment, including what appears to be a previously unseen angle in the third slide. He said he felt compelled to address the situation for “young kids who look up to the Springboks.”
“I’ve been quiet, but now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanation,” he wrote.
“First of all, this is not a post to argue that I was not guilty. I accept guilt. I made a mistake and I’m prepared to serve the suspension that I deserve.”
The 34-year-old expressed remorse for the incident, emphasizing that he does not want young fans to believe that eye-gouging is acceptable.
“I don’t want young kids who look up to the Springboks to think that it’s OK to eye gouge someone, because it’s not… unfortunately mistakes happen and I made a big one.”
Etzebeth then offered his interpretation of the sequence that led to the contact, sharing screenshots to explain why he acted as he did. He claimed an initial strike from Mann prompted his response and that the arrival of additional players altered the contact angle.
“The scuffle was basically over when Wales’ No.7 struck me with an open hand to my chin/neck,” he said. “You can see me looking at the assistant referee and waiting for a reaction… then I got another pull on my jersey before I went in with a similar type of action.”
Etzebeth argued that his first contact was with Mann’s shoulder, and that the involvement of other players shifted the direction of his hand.
He reiterated that the act was a mistake: “It was never intentional. I would never do something like this on purpose — I know the consequences after playing rugby for a few years.”
The interview also revealed that this was his first red card in senior rugby, and he stressed it should be his last.
“I’m sorry for letting you and the game down,” he said. “To the people who were angry and upset with my actions, I understand — because it didn’t look good on the slow-motion replay. Hopefully you’ve gained a bit more context now.”
Full excerpt from Etzebeth’s statement:
Hey Everyone
I’ve been quiet, but now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanation
First of all, this is not a post to show that I was not guilty, I accept guilt. I made a mistake and I’m willing to serve a suspension which I deserve.
I don’t want young kids who look up to the Springboks to think that it’s OK to eye gouge someone, because it’s not, but unfortunately mistakes happen and I made a big one for which I’m sorry.
But I’d like to answer the question - why did you do such a thing?
It was a mistake caused by my reaction and other factors that played a role.
Slide 1: The scuffle was basically over when Wales #7 struck me with an open hand to my chin/neck area, you can see me looking at the Assistant Referee and waiting for a reaction from him (it happened fast and it’s understandable that he didn’t see it) without reacting yet, I got another pull on my jersey, before I go in with the similar type of action.
Slide 2: You can clearly see my first point of contact is against his shoulder with an open hand, just like he did, except he got me on the chin. Another thing worth mentioning, when he struck me, I was standing still with not a lot of movement or players trying to get involved. When I went for the same open hand towards his shoulder, you’ll see 2 Welsh players changing the dynamic of the entire picture as well as one of my teammates pulling Wales #7 around his neck away from my hand and where my force is going.
Slide 3: Another Camera Angle
So why did I post this? To try and show people how everything happened and that it was never intentional. I would never do something like this on purpose, I know the consequences will be after playing rugby for a few years.
Thanks to everyone that stood by me and thought the best of me. I’m sorry for letting you and the game down. That was my first red card since I started playing. I want it to be my last.
To the people that were angry and upset with my actions, I understand - because it didn’t look good on the slow motion replay and hopefully you’ve got a bit more context now.
