Only Bok haters will come down on Eben one of the very greatest of locks ever to grace the game.
Apparently in all his long test career he has only ever received one other red card. A wonderful record of self control.
Well said Habana.
Only Bok haters will come down on Eben one of the very greatest of locks ever to grace the game.
Apparently in all his long test career he has only ever received one other red card. A wonderful record of self control.
Well said Habana.
2,193 posts
Amid another dominant season closure with a sweeping 73-0 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium, the Springboks' celebration was overshadowed by a regrettable incident involving Eben Etzebeth. The towering lock, who had just scored the final try, found himself red-carded for an alleged eye-gouge on Welsh flanker Alex Mann during a late-game scuffle.
The incident has stirred up quite the controversy, projecting Etzebeth towards a potentially extended period away from the pitch. An independent disciplinary panel will soon determine the length of his suspension, with the severity of sanctions for eye-related offences ranging notably. While the extreme end could technically see a player sidelined for up to four years, the actual ban for Etzebeth will likely reflect the panel's interpretation of his intent or recklessness.
Bryan Habana, a revered figure in South African rugby, took to social media to express his disappointment, stating,
"Justified red card and should be facing a lengthy time on the sidelines..."
Despite acknowledging the severity of Etzebeth's actions, Habana defended the player's legacy, emphasizing his continued greatness in the sport.The discourse around Etzebeth's character and career escalated among fans and pundits, with some suggesting that this incident might tarnish his reputation permanently. A fan response highlighted concerns over Etzebeth's temperament, suggesting, "Think that act demands a reassessment of any perceived greatness. Always been worried about Eben’s self-control when that red mist descends. And now he has this permanent, glaring stain on his record."
However, Habana firmly disagreed with this perspective, reinforcing his view of Etzebeth's enduring legacy,
"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... Multiple SA rugby player of the year awards. He should have, in my opinion won a World Player of the year award. Two rugby World Cups behind his name... The youngest player to reach 100 caps... 1 incident, as bad as it is, should not take away how influential a player he is."
As the rugby community awaits the verdict on Etzebeth's disciplinary outcome, the debate continues about how one moment can impact an otherwise sterling career. Yet, whatever the result, it's clear that Etzebeth's prowess on the field and his contributions to South African rugby have left an indelible mark.