“I did not, at any stage, aim for his eyes” – Full Eben Etzebeth testimony emerges
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Testimony.
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth learned his fate last night following his red card for eye-gouging Wales flanker Alex Mann.
The committee determined that contact with the eye was intentional and set a mid-range entry point of 18 weeks/matches.
Etzebeth was afforded six weeks off, reducing it down to 12 games, as he has not had a suspension since 2012.
The Springbok also admitted that he had committed an act of foul play and that it warranted a red card, with his full testimony emerging online.
“I did not, at any stage, aim for his eyes or intend to make contact with his eye,” Etzebeth said in the judgement released by the independent disciplinary committee.
“At this time I felt I had to start defending myself otherwise I’m going to be rag-dolled by [Mann].
“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 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 will now miss the next 12 games for the Sharks, and will be available again to play from April.
