Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth will have to sit tight for several more days as the fallout from his controversial red card takes yet another unexpected turn.
A World Rugby disciplinary panel, tasked with ruling on the alleged eye-gouging incident involving Wales flank Alex Mann, failed to reach a verdict after an intense late-night session, as per Netwerk24. The hearing kicked off at 7pm on Tuesday and continued deep into the night, but officials reportedly broke up without agreement, asking for extra time as disagreements over the severity of the possible punishment dominated discussions.
Etzebeth’s sending-off came in the closing minutes of South Africa’s crushing 73-0 win in Cardiff, where television footage captured him driving his thumb toward Mann’s eye. French referee Luc Ramos immediately reached for red, with Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus later stating that the decision was justified.
Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert!
Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!
The disciplinary process now hinges on the panel’s evaluation of the act, which falls into one of rugby’s harshest categories. Eye-gouging carries a maximum ban of two years, a sanction designed to match the seriousness of the offence.
Insiders believe that anything between 16 and 18 weeks on the sidelines would still be seen as a relatively favourable outcome, given the nature of the charge.
The verdict is now only expected in the next few days, leaving Etzebeth – and the Springbok camp – with an anxious wait as the rugby world watches closely.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: David Rogers / Gallo Images
