Former Springbok Bryan Habana has come out in defence of Eben Etzebeth, who has been strongly condemned over his eye-gouge attack on a Welsh player.
The incident took place minutes before the final whistle blew, signalling South Africa’s 73-0 defeat over the host nation.
According to World Rugby, the attack is a punishable offense with a ban ranging from four months to three years.
Etzbeth – the highest capped player with 141 test caps – was sent off the pitch with a red card.
FORMER SPRINGBOK DEFENDS EBEN ETZEBETH
Despite condemning Eben Etzebeth for his eye gouge attack on Wales flank Alex Mann, Bryan Habana disputed claims that the Springbok was a “thug”
Like Etzebeth, Habana has exceeded 100 test caps.
He posted on X over criticism of Etzebeth: “I wholeheartedly disagree with you. A phenomenally athletic and physical player. A player that would be one of the first names on my team sheet. Who I’d easily go to battle with/for”.
When another questioned Etzebeth’s talent, Habana clapped back: “He has not only been the ultimate professional, hardest worker and team man, but he has become SA’s most capped player because of how great he is”.
Bryan Habana also hinted that there was more to the attack, pointing at a video frame of Mann possibly eye gouging Eben Etzebeth first.
“The footage needs to be reviewed”, he added.
RASSIE: ‘IT WAS A JUSTIFIED RED CARD’
Speaking in a post-match press conference, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus weighed in on Eben Etzebeth’s eye gouge attack on an opponent.
He said, “I don’t know what I can say that won’t be controversial. It didn’t look good, and it was a justified red card.
Images via X
He added, “How it happened and why it happened, and if he was provoked, I am not sure, but it’s definitely not the way that we would have liked to end the game. I don’t think that the optics were great.”
