How many games could Eben Etzebeth miss after being shown a red card for an eye tear?

KANIKA SINGH RATHORE,

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South Africa Lock eben etzebeth Sent off for having an eye gouged out as veteran’s ugly act sets a record springboks win against wales In Cardiff.

lost 73-0 This is the hosts’ heaviest performance on home soil in historyThe world champions, who have been in impressive form scoring 11 tries against low-powered Wales, have been unable to pick up their overseas-based players.

But another one-sided victory for Rassie Erasmus’ men was spoiled in the end when Etzebeth hit Wales flanker Alex Mann with his thumb in the eye.

Eben Etzebeth shown a red card

Eben Etzebeth shown a red card ,AFP via Getty,

The pair came together in a scramble just minutes from time, with South Africa long confident of victory.

After reviewing the footage in consultation with television match official Eric Gauzin, referee Luke Ramos issued a permanent red card, deeming Etzebeth’s act intentional.

Under World Rugby’s accepted guidelines, Etzebeth now faces a lengthy ban. The low-end entry point for “intentional contact with the eye” is 12 weeks, with top-end clearance above 24 weeks. A player could face a maximum ban of 208 weeks or four years, although this is unlikely.

Etzebeth is the third South African player to be shown a straight red card this November. Lund de Jager dismissed in win over France Later banned for four matchesThe number was reduced to three after completing “tackle school”, while Franco Mostert’s sending off against Italy was overturned by a disciplinary committee.

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Etzebeth, who won his 141st cap, was introduced in the 52nd minute in Cardiff as Erasmus brought all eight of his replacements onto the field at once. The 34-year-old scored one of South Africa’s 11 tries before seeing red.

“I’m sure he didn’t do it on purpose and I don’t want it to be the highlight of the game,” Springboks captain Siya Kolisi told TNT Sports.

Etzebeth's ugly foul during a scramble shortly before the final whistle

Etzebeth’s ugly foul during a scramble shortly before the final whistle ,Action Images via Reuters,

“The only way a team can get better is to play the best games, so they will be better once they face it next year. Wales are fighting people and we have been through that too after 2015, so it could be better.”

Erasmus said in the post-match press conference: “I don’t know what I can say that won’t be controversial. It didn’t look good. It justified the red card. How it happened and why it happened, whether it was provoked, I’m not sure.”

Etzebeth’s club team the Sharks begin their Investec Champions Cup campaign in Toulouse next Sunday. South Africa will not be back in action until the opening weekend of the new Nations Championship next year, with the Springboks scheduled to face England in Johannesburg on Saturday 4 July.

Uk