2 w. ago Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth handed long ban after red card for eye gouge

The South Africa lock was deemed to have made intentional/reckless contact with the eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann

Politics

2 w. ago Eben Etzebeth to appear at hearing after red card for alleged eye

Mid-range offence could see eight-week banApology after match will be consideredEben Etzebeth is expected to appear at a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after his red card for alleged eye-gouging in the dominant victory against Wales on Saturday, with the Springboks lock potentially facing a long ban. The verdict is likely to be announced on Wednesday.As South Africa closed in on a record 73-0 victory in Cardiff, Etzebeth clashed with the Welsh back-rower Alex Mann, appearing to make contact with his opponent’s left eye in a fracas involving several players from both sides. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Springboks legend demands investigation as questionable footage used to accuse Wales star

Etzebeth was shown a straight red card for gouging against Wales, but Bryan Habana and Springboks fans have pointed the finger of blame elsewhere

Events

3 w. ago Etzebeth red card mars South Africa demolition job as Wales slump to record home defeat

Wales 0-73 South AfricaSpringboks score 11 tries but Etzebeth sent off for eye gougeEvery bit as dispiriting as expected. Worse, was it pointless? Well, it certainly had more points to it than Wales would have liked. But, worse again, was it actively alienating? A record defeat, the first time since 1967 Wales have failed to score a point here, 11 tries conceded.South Africa continue to demonstrate their superiority over every other nation. People are starting to compare them to the best sides we have ever seen. And they remain as brutal as ever, mostly legitimately, sometimes less so. They received their third red card of the autumn, their third to a second row, but there was no arguing with this one. Eben Etzebeth, a full head taller than any of his opponents in the middle of a fracas two minutes from time, jabbed his thumb into the eye of Alex Mann. The least contentious red card of the autumn. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago Etzebeth red mars South Africa romp as Wales slump to record home defeat

Wales 0-73 South AfricaSpringboks score 11 tries but Etzebeth off for eye gougeEvery bit as dispiriting as expected. Worse, was it pointless? Well, it certainly had more points to it than Wales would have liked. But, worse again, was it actively alienating? A record defeat, 11 tries conceded, the first time since 1967 Wales have failed to score a point in Cardiff. The opposition on that day 58 years ago, Ireland, scored 70 fewer than the Springboks here.“It’s quite a raw, emotional dressing room,” said Dewi Lake, Wales’s captain. “The boys are proud Welshmen, so coming off the field with the scoreboard looking like that is tough to take. But I don’t think it’s going to ruin the confidence of the younger boys. If anything, it drives you even more. You recognise the gap and what you’ve got to do.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth facing long ban after red card for eye gouge mars record win over Wales

The veteran second row was shown a straight red card after his thumb made contact with the eye of Alex Mann

Politics

4 w. ago South Africa’s dispute with US escalates amid row over G20 handover event

Trump press secretary accuses Cyril Ramaphosa of ‘running his mouth’ after US boycott of summit in JohannesburgThe dispute between South Africa and the US over the Trump administration’s decision to boycott the G20 in Johannesburg has continued, with South Africa objecting to a US plan for a junior embassy official to take part in the closing ceremony meant to mark the handover to the next summit, which will take place in Florida.The two-day summit, which opens on Saturday, comes at a febrile moment in global politics. The US has proposed a deal to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which it agreed with Moscow without the involvement of Ukraine or the EU. Continue reading...

Politics