BOKS LOCK WAITS TO LEARN FATE OVER 'GOUGING'

ETZEBETH UNDER FIRE FOR ACTIONS

- JOHN JONES

EBEN Etzebeth faces months on the sidelines after being sent off for an eye gouge in the final moments of South Africa's 73-0 mauling of Wales on Saturday.

The Springboks lock was shown a straight red card by referee Luc Ramos in the 79th minute of the one-sided clash at the Principality Stadium after making contact with Welsh forward Alex Mann's eye with his thumb.

The ugly incident drew a chorus of boos from the Cardiff crowd, with Etzebeth's actions sparking fury among rugby fans worldwide.

Thousands have taken to social media to express their disgust, with many calling for the veteran Springbok to be slapped with a hefty suspension. Some have even claimed that the lock - his country's most-capped player of all time - should never return to the rugby pitch, with the incident branded "disgraceful".