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Eben Etzebeth of South Africa and Alex Mann of Wales tussle (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)<\/p>\nThe Springboks star was banned for 12 weeks after an eye-gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann and said it was a ‘big mistake’<\/p>\n
13:17, 10 Dec 2025Updated 13:19, 10 Dec 2025<\/p>\n
Eben Etzebeth of South Africa and Alex Mann of Wales tussle (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)<\/p>\n
Springboks star Eben Etzebeth has finally spoken publicly after receiving a 12-match ban for eye-gouging Wales flanker Alex Mann, breaking his silence to apologise for making a “big mistake” and insist the act was not intentional.<\/p>\n
The South Africa lock was handed the lengthy suspension after an independent disciplinary panel ruled he \u201cintentionally\u201d made contact with Mann\u2019s eye area during the closing stages of the Springboks\u2019 73-0 rout at the Principality Stadium.<\/p>\n
Etzebeth pleaded guilty to the offence but argued it was accidental, a claim the panel rejected before issuing a three-month ban.<\/p>\n
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation from former players and pundits \u2014 including some of Etzebeth\u2019s ex-team-mates \u2014 but had not been addressed by the player himself until now.<\/p>\n
Taking to Instagram, Etzebeth shared multiple video angles of the flashpoint \u2014 including what appears to be a previously unseen angle in the third slide of his post \u2014 and said he felt compelled to explain himself to \u201cyoung kids who look up to the Springboks\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been quiet, but now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanation,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, this is not a post to show that I was not guilty. I accept guilt. I made a mistake and I\u2019m willing to serve a suspension which I deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old said he was \u201csorry\u201d for the incident and stressed he did not want children believing such actions were acceptable.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI don\u2019t want young kids who look up to the Springboks to think that it\u2019s OK to eye gouge someone, because it\u2019s not\u2026 unfortunately mistakes happen and I made a big one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Etzebeth went on to detail what he believes led to the dangerous contact, sharing screenshots to explain his attempt to \u201canswer the question of why I would do such a thing\u201d.<\/p>\n
He claimed an initial strike from Mann sparked his reaction and that the arrival of several players changed the angle of contact.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scuffle was basically over when Wales\u2019 No.7 struck me with an open hand to my chin\/neck,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can see me looking at the assistant referee and waiting for a reaction\u2026 then I got another pull on my jersey before I went in with a similar type of action.\u201d<\/p>\n
Etzebeth argued his first point of contact was Mann\u2019s shoulder, before the involvement of other players shifted the direction of his hand.<\/p>\n
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He reiterated that the act was a mistake: \u201cIt was never intentional. I would never do something like this on purpose \u2014 I know what the consequences are after playing rugby for a few years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Etzebeth also revealed it was the first red card of his senior career and insisted he intends to ensure it is his last.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry for letting you and the game down,\u201d he said. \u201cTo the people that were angry and upset with my actions, I understand \u2014 because it didn\u2019t look good on the slow-motion replay. Hopefully you\u2019ve got a bit more context now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eben Etzebeth statement in full<\/p>\n
Hey EveryoneI’ve been quiet, but now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanationFirst of all, this is not a post to show that I was not guilty, I accept guilt. I made a mistake and I’m willing to serve a suspension which I deserve.I don’t want young kids who look up to the Springboks to think that it’s OK to eye gouge someone, because it’s not, but unfortunately mistakes happen and I made a big one for which I’m sorry.But I’d like to answer the question – why did you do such a thing?It was a mistake caused by my reaction and other factors that played a role.Slide 1: The scuffle was basically over when Wales #7<\/a> struck me with an open hand to my chin\/neck area, you can see me looking at the Assistant Referee and waiting for a reaction from him (it happened fast and it’s understandable that he didn’t see it) without reacting yet, I got another pull on my jersey, before I go in with the similar type of action.Slide 2: You can clearly see my first point of contact is against his shoulder with an open hand, just like he did, except he got me on the chin. Another thing worth mentioning, when he struck me, I was standing still with not a lot of movement or players trying to get involved. When I went for the same open hand towards his shoulder, you’ll see 2 Welsh players changing the dynamic of the entire picture as well as one of my teammates pulling Wales #7<\/a> around his neck away from my hand and where my force is going.Slide 3: Another Camera AngleSo why did I post this?To try and show people how everything happened and that it was never intentional. I would never do something like this on purpose, I know what the consequences will be after playing rugby for a few years.Thanks to everyone that stood by me and thought the best of me. I’m sorry for letting you and the game down. That was my first red card since I started playing. I want it to be my last.To the people that were angry and upset with my actions, I understand – because it didn’t look good on the slow motion replay and hopefully you’ve got a bit more context now.<\/p>\n