An independent disciplinary panel met on Tuesday, but took an extra 24 hours deliberation to decide on a sanction.
Led by Christopher Quinlan KC, the panel found that contact with the eye was intentional and a “mid-range” entry point of 18 weeks was appropriate. Mitigating factors including the player’s previous record meant that was reduced to 12 weeks.
Etzebeth was the third South African forward to be shown a red card in four matches this autumn after Franco Mostert and Lood de Jaeger. Mostert’s red was later rescinded by a disciplinary panel and downgraded to a yellow.
World Rugby’s sanctions for eye-gouging (“intentional contact with the eyes”) state a ban ranging from 12 weeks at the low end, to a maximum of four years.
Bans for “reckless contact with the eyes” can range from six weeks to four years. Bans for “contact with the eye area” range from four weeks to one year.