Springboks star Etzebeth gets red card for eye-gouging against Wales

By Canadian Press on November 29, 2025.

CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth was sent off for gouging the eye of an opponent during the 73-0 thrashing of Wales in a rugby international on Saturday.

Replays showed the giant forward put his right thumb in the left eye of Wales flanker Alex Mann as they tussled in the middle of the field after referee Luc Ramos stopped play in the 79th minute.

Ramos was shown a replay of the incident and brandished a red card to Etzebeth for what he said was “a thumb in the eyes.” The second-row forward had gone on as a replacement in the 52nd minute.

The Springboks also had players sent off in wins over France and Italy this month.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

The Associated Press