South Africa star Eben Etzebeth has been deregistered by the Sharks as he braces for a potentially lengthy suspension following his alleged eye-gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann. Etzebeth was sent off for the incident, which occurred in the dying moments of the Springboks’ crushing 73-0 victory in Cardiff on Saturday, and faces the prospect of a significant ban for the incident.
According to Super Sports, he is among several players who have been released by the Durban-based Sharks in preparation for the forthcoming Champions Cup campaign. The decision is widely interpreted as recognition that he will probably be unavailable for an extended period, though his punishment remains undetermined.
South African Etzebeth faced a disciplinary panel on Tuesday, but the duration of any suspension will likely be confirmed and revealed on Sunday.
Eye-gouging could potentially result in a ban exceeding 12 months, and it remains uncertain how long he will be ruled out.
According to World Rugby regulations, the lower threshold for “intentional contact with eye(s)” is specified as 12 weeks, whilst the upper limit extends beyond 24 weeks. The gravest offences can warrant a four-year ban.
The incident has sparked considerable debate in South Africa, with former Springbok Schalk Burger recently suggesting Etzebeth would have fared better by striking Mann instead.
The sanction for a punch carries a minimum penalty of two weeks, with a maximum of one year. Burger, who was handed an eight-week ban while representing South Africa against the British and Irish Lions in 2009, spoke out on the matter.
“You can’t do it [eye-gouge],” he stated on The Verdict. “I mean also, you can’t punch anyone nowadays, like what can you do? You can grab someone.”
His former Springbok team-mate Jean De Villiers chimed in: “He just should have punched him,” to which Burger concurred: “I think a punch would have been better. It’s an issue now for Eben, the entry level is huge.”