Eben Etzebeth is expected to front a World Rugby disciplinary panel on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old lock – the most-capped Springbok in history – received a permanent red card in the 78th minute of the Springboks’ 73-0 demolition of Wales in Cardiff after French referee Luc Ramos ruled that he made “clear contact” with the eye area of flanker Alex Mann during a scuffle.
It triggered a disciplinary process that could see him sidelined for a lengthy period.
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World Rugby offered no update on Monday, but it’s understood that Etzebeth’s representatives will present his case to the governing body’s disciplinary committee on Tuesday, a hearing set to determine the length of his ban.
SA Rugby and MyPlayers, the players’ association, will represent Etzebeth at the hearing.
While the possible suspension is significant, the Bok enforcer may benefit from one key mitigating factor: this is his first red card in 141 Test matches since his debut in 2012.
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Etzebeth was the third Bok lock to be sent off on tour, following Lood de Jager (vs France) and Franco Mostert (vs Italy). Mostert’s red was later overturned and he returned to the starting XV for the Wales Test.
Big ban incoming for Eben Etzebeth for eye gouging.
Cant be doing that. pic.twitter.com/sudD3QzSrm
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) November 29, 2025
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images