SOUTH AFRICA star Eben Etzebeth has been handed a 12-week ban for a sickening eye gouge.
The lock attacked Wales player Alex Mann in the Springboks’ 73-0 thrashing at the Principality.
He was deemed to have intentionally committed an eye gouge on the flanker.
Etzebeth was shown a red card by the referee after the incident was reviewed by the TMO.
A disciplinary committee convened by the Six Nations has hit Etzebeth with a suspension.
His actions were judged to be worthy of an 18-week ban, which has been reduced by six weeks because of his good disciplinary record.
The ban is for international and domestic rugby which means Etzebeth will miss the beginning of Sharks’ Investec Champions Cup campaign.
He will also be sidelined for the United Rugby Championship, with his side 14th in the standings.
Eztebeth, 34, will be available for selection from April.
He could face England a few weeks after that as South Africa face the Red Roses in July for their inaugural Nations Championship opener.
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Etzebeth is South Africa’s most capped player with 141 appearances.
He is a two-time World Cup winner in 2019 and 2023.
