Former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan has claimed that Eben Etzebeth\u2019s actions were based on the Springboks\u2019 \u201cbelligerent defiance\u201d, which he believes has become a key part of their mentality.<\/b><\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s star second-row was sent off in their 73-0 demolition of Wales at the weekend for eye-gouging opposition flanker Alex Mann.<\/p>\n
Etzebeth<\/a> is therefore set for a spell on the sidelines with a disciplinary panel deciding his fate this week.<\/p>\n The decision has been reportedly delayed<\/a> until Sunday, but Lenihan expects the Springboks<\/a> powerhouse to be handed a \u201clong ban\u201d.<\/p>\n While the 66-year-old is \u201cnot entirely convinced\u201d the forward did it intentionally, putting your fingers or thumbs in someone\u2019s eyes remains one of the most heinous acts on a rugby field.<\/p>\n Spate of Springboks red cards<\/p>\n It was the third permanent red card the Boks received in November with Etzebeth following fellow locks Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert in being dismissed.<\/p>\n Mostert\u2019s was rescinded but De Jager was handed a four-week suspension and the Sharks second-row looks set to join him in sitting out some games.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Mostert\u2019s card for a high hit on Italian out-half Paulo Garbisi was correctly overturned on appeal \u2014yet another example of the level of inconsistency from officials throughout the month \u2014 Etzebeth\u2019s reckless eye gouge of Alex Mann will result in a long-term ban,\u201d he wrote in his Irish Examiner<\/a> column.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been an admirer of the big Sharks lock since he emerged on the international stage back in 2012 to become the most capped Springbok of all time.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, his actions on this occasion were inexcusable. Bear in mind, he\u2019d just scored a try, South Africa\u2019s 11th on a humbling afternoon for Wales, to propel his team into a 0-73 lead.\u201d<\/p>\n