Eben Etzebeth cut by Sharks as inevitable outcome looms
- Eben Etzebeth handed lengthy ban as verdict reached - December 4, 2025
- Eben Etzebeth cut by Sharks as inevitable outcome looms - December 4, 2025
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Cut.
The Sharks are already preparing for life without Eben Etzbeth as the towering lock awaits the outcome of his hearing.
Etzebeth faced a disciplinary on Tuesday evening after being shown a straight red for a blatant eye gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann.
A decision on the length of his inevitable ban has been delayed, with the committee asking for more time as they try to come to an agreement on whether it was intentional or just reckless.
And with that, Etzebeth was among a list of Sharks players released on Thursday morning by EPCR who have been deregistered by the Durban franchise.
A decision on the length of his ban is expected by the end of the week.
World Rugby guidelines state that the low-end entry point for ‘intentional contact with eye(s)’ is 12 weeks, while a mid-range sanction is 18 weeks.
A top-end sanction for a deliberate gouge is upwards of 24 weeks, while the maximum ban available is 208 weeks, or four years.
