New angle suggests Eben Etzebeth may have been eye-gouged before red card incident

Etzebeth was sent off in the 78th minute after a clash with Alex Mann. The footage shown at the time appeared clear. The Springbok lock reached towards Mann during a scuffle and made contact with his eye. TMO Eric Gauzins reviewed the incident before referee Luc Ramos produced a straight red card.

However, an alternate angle now shows something different. It appears that a Welsh player’s hand made contact with Etzebeth’s face moments before the incident that led to his sending off. This detail could become important when the disciplinary process begins.

Eye-gouging carries a minimum 12-week ban under World Rugby rules. The maximum punishment is four years, though such a sanction is rare. The red card will now be examined, and the new footage may influence the outcome.

The controversy came at the end of a historic defeat for Wales. They suffered their biggest home loss ever and failed to score in Cardiff for the first time since 1967.

South Africa ran in 11 tries. Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored twice and kicked nine conversions. The Springboks dominated the scrum, controlled territory, and punished every Welsh mistake.

Yellow cards for Taine Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright added to Wales’ problems. The scoreboard continued to rise as South Africa pushed past 50 points shortly after half-time.

The match will be remembered for the scoreline. But the Etzebeth incident, and the new angle, may now become the biggest talking point.