Springboks rugby star Eben Etzebeth has broken his silence after receiving a 12-week ban for eye-gouging. Taking to Instagram, he offered a heartfelt explanation and apology to fans.
Etzebeth accepted full responsibility, stating he made a mistake and is committed to serving the suspension. He stressed that his actions were not intentional and expressed regret for setting a poor example for young fans.
The incident occurred during a scuffle with Wales’ Alex Mann. Etzebeth claims the turmoil began when Mann struck him with an open hand to the chin, sparking a reactionary moment that spiraled out of control. Despite acknowledging his guilt, Etzebeth insists he never meant for things to escalate as they did.
To provide more context, he posted new footage from an unseen camera angle, hoping it might help show how events unfolded. The clip highlights external factors, including the involvement of other players, which may have contributed to the misunderstanding.
The red card from the incident marked a first in his senior career, and Etzebeth vows to make it the last. He apologized to those upset by his actions, acknowledging the severity of the replay footage but hoping his explanation brings clarity.
He concluded with gratitude to supporters, expressing sorrow for letting the team and fans down and reiterating his determination to learn from this experience.