Eben Etzebeth Red Card : Springbok Lock Explains His Actions After Hearing
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has broken his silence following his disciplinary hearing, offering a detailed explanation of the incident that led to his first-ever red card in professional rugby.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Etzebeth accepted full responsibility for the clash with Wales flanker Jac Morgan and said he hoped to give supporters a clearer understanding of what happened.
“I’m not trying to prove I was innocent — I accept guilt,” he wrote. “I made a mistake, and I’m ready to serve the suspension I deserve.”
‘It Looked Bad in Slow Motion, But There Was No Intent’
Etzebeth addressed the key question many supporters have asked: why did the incident happen?
According to the Springbok star, the contact came from a split-second reaction influenced by the chaos of a scuffle already in motion.
He explained that Wales’ No.7 struck him across the chin and neck area with an open hand. Etzebeth looked towards the assistant referee expecting a reaction, and before he could respond, his jersey was pulled again — a moment he says sparked his instinctive counteraction.
What the Footage Shows
Etzebeth broke down the three camera angles he referenced:
- Slide 1 (Initial incident): Wales’ flanker makes contact with Etzebeth’s chin. Etzebeth waits for a call from the touch judge.
- Slide 2 (Main contact): Etzebeth says his first point of contact was aimed at the opponent’s shoulder with an open hand, similar to the earlier strike he received. He adds that two Welsh players and one teammate altered the body positions involved, shifting momentum and making the incident look worse.
- Slide 3 (Alternate angle): Another view that he believes provides better context.
‘I Would Never Do Something Like This on Purpose’
The Bok enforcer stressed that he has never intentionally attempted a dangerous act during a match.
“After playing rugby for so many years, you know exactly what the consequences are,” he said. “I would never do something like this deliberately.”
He also apologised to fans and teammates, saying he felt he had let people down, especially as this was his first red card since the start of his career.
Support, Frustration, and Moving Forward
Etzebeth thanked those who defended him throughout the process and acknowledged the frustration from supporters who saw only the slow-motion footage.
“To those who were angry or disappointed — I understand,” he wrote. “Hopefully this gives a bit more context.”
The Springbok veteran made it clear he intends for this to be the first and last red card of his career.
