'HORRIBLE'

Etzbeth condemned by countrymen after receiving 12-game ban for eye gouge on Wales' Mann

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FORMER South Africa hooker Bismarck du Plessis has condemned Eben Etzebeth's eye-gouge on Wales flanker Alex Mann, calling the act "horrible" as the Springbok lock was handed a 12-game ban.

Etzebeth was sent off for the first time in his Test career during South Africa's win over Wales at the Principality Stadium, with replays showing his thumb make contact with Mann's eye in the 78th minute.

Referee Luc Ramos issued a straight red card, and the 32-year-old faced a disciplinary panel on Tuesday night.

An independent panel reportedly initially failed to agree on the length of his sanction, but the veteran Bok was yesterday hit with a 12-week ban.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast before the verdict, du Plessis - renowned as one of the toughest front-rowers of his era - said he could not defend what happened.

"There's no good you can say about that," he said. "It's a horrible incident. I'm lucky I don't have to sit through those meetings... I think he's in trouble."

Former England centre Mike Tindall also believes Etzebeth will receive a significant ban, arguing such cases are now so rare that the authorities will "make an example out of it".