Overview
- An independent Six Nations disciplinary committee suspended Etzebeth for 12 weeks/matches after determining his contact with Alex Mann’s eye was intentional at a mid-range entry point.
- Chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC with Leon Lloyd and Becky Essex, the panel reduced the 18-week starting point by six weeks for mitigating factors including his long record, remorse and character evidence from Ardie Savea.
- Etzebeth was shown a red card by referee Luc Ramos following a TMO review in the closing minutes of South Africa’s 73-0 win in Cardiff.
- The sanction covers 12 fixtures for the Sharks across the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship, with the club having deregistered him from their European squad and a return expected around April 2026.
- Springbok fixtures are unaffected until July 2026, and although Etzebeth denied intent in his testimony, the committee concluded he “knew what he was doing.”