South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has accepted his 12-match ban for an eye-gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann in the Springboks' 73-0 win in Cardiff last month but maintains it was not an intentional act.
Etzebeth will be out of action until April after an independent disciplinary committee handed down the sanction, with some suggesting he got off lightly.
The double World Cup winner took to social media on Wednesday to offer a detailed explanation of what transpired, and maintains he never intentionally targeted Mann's eyes.
"I've been quiet, but now that my hearing is done, I think I owe everyone an explanation," Etzebeth said. "I accept guilt. I made a mistake and I'm willing to serve a suspension which I deserve.
"(But) I would never do something like this on purpose, I know what the consequences will be after playing rugby for a few years."
Etzebeth, 34, claims he was struck by Mann with an open hand to his neck/chin area, which was not spotted by the officials, and he moved to retaliate with an open-handed blow of his own.
"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," Etzebeth said.
"When I went for the same open hand towards his shoulder, you'll see two Welsh players changing the dynamic of the entire picture, as well as one of my teammates pulling (Mann) around his neck away from my hand and where my force is going."
Etzebeth says it was this movement that led to what he claims was an accidental eye-gouge.
"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," Etzebeth said.
Eben Etzebeth on his suspension 📲
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) December 10, 2025
'First 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.'
'Unfortunately,' he adds, 'mistakes happen and I made a big one for which I'm sorry.' pic.twitter.com/3IdkbMQAxD
ETZEBETH'S FULL STATEMENT ON INSTAGRAM
"I’ve been quiet, but now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanation First 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 struck me with an open hand to my chin/neck area, so 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 around his neck away from my hand and where my force is going.
Slide 3: Another Camera Angle So 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."
Eben Etzebeth's post on Instagram:
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) December 10, 2025
Hey Everyone
I've been quiet, but now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanation
First 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… pic.twitter.com/MM9WQ2gGUM