Footage has emerged suggesting that Eben Etzebeth may have been eye-gouged moments before he was sent off for the same offence.
The Springbok lock received a straight red card late in the 73-0 win against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday for making contact with the eye area of flanker Alex Mann during a scuffle, and now faces a lengthy suspension.
MORE: How many games Eben could miss
On Sunday, new footage circulated on X showing an incident that could explain Etzebeth’s reaction – though it does not excuse it.
RASSIE: Eben’s red card justified
Turns, looks at him, then sticks his pinky and ring finger in his eye. This is a gouge. It’s intentional. Eben’s was a gouge. It was intentional. These are not reckless actions. Then need severe sanctions. pic.twitter.com/TpubmGTEpE
— A-P (@rugby_ap) December 1, 2025
Yeah.. The footage needs to be reviewed as this looks very much like eye gouging on Eben as well https://t.co/HQuxrXbI3R pic.twitter.com/2TruDWAAIE
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) November 30, 2025
