South African Eben Etzebeth was banned for 12 weeks on Saturday for what an independent disciplinary committee deemed an ‘intentional’ stinging of Wales’ Alex Mann.
The incident occurred in the final minutes of the Springboks’ Autumn Nations Series test against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with South Africa already leading 73-0.
Etzebeth, who holds the record for South Africa with 141 Test caps, appeared in the contest as a substitute and was shown a red card after a TMO review after making contact with his thumb in Mann’s eye during a close encounter.
The disciplinary committee judged Etzebeth’s actions to be ‘intentional’ and applied a median entry point of 18 weeks in terms of sanctions. Etzebeth’s ‘previous record’ of having never been sent off in Test rugby before led to his six-week run being removed.
Etzebeth, a Sharks player at club level, will miss the next 12 matches in the Champions Cup and URC and will not be free to play again until April 2026.
South Africa do not play again until July 2026 when they face England in the first Nations Championship.
Etzebeth was sent off in the final minutes of last weekend’s game against Wales in Cardiff. Despite South Africa already leading 73-0.
The suspension will apply to the next match.
• December 7, 2025 – Toulouse vs Sharks, EPCR Champions Cup.
• December 13, 2025 – Sharks v Saracens, EPCR Champions Cup.
• December 20, 2025 – Sharks v Bulls, United Rugby Championship.
• January 3, 2026 – Lions v Sharks, United Rugby Championship.
• January 10, 2026 – Sharks v Sharks, EPCR Champions Cup Sale
• January 17, 2026 – Sharks v Clermont, EPCR Champions Cup.
• January 24, 2026 – Stormers v Sharks, United Rugby Championship.
• January 31, 2026 – Sharks v Stormers, United Rugby Championship.
• February 21, 2026 – Sharks v Lions, United Rugby Championship.
• February 28, 2026 – Bulls v Sharks, United Rugby Championship.
• March 21, 2026 – Sharks v Munster, United Rugby Championship.
• March 27, 2026 – Sharks v Cardiff Rugby, United Rugby Championship.
“South Africa’s number 19 Eben Etzebeth appeared before the Independent Disciplinary Committee via video link after receiving a red card for foul play in breach of Rule 9.12 during the match between South Africa and Wales on Saturday 22 November 2025,” the disciplinary committee said in an official statement.
“After considering the player and other evidence and reviewing the footage, and for the reasons set out in the full written decision (currently available in the disciplinary section of the Six Nations Rugby website), the disciplinary committee decided that the eye contact was intentional and that the timing of entry into the mid-range of Week 18/match was appropriate.
“Some mitigating factors, including a player’s previous record, have resulted in the 18-week entry point being reduced by the committee from six weeks to 12 weeks/match.”
