'It wasn't the truth' - Alex Mann opens up on Eben Etzebeth gouging incident during Wales v South Africa Quilter Nations Series clash
Published 09/01/2026 at 13:01 GMT
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Wales international Alex Mann has spoken about the "frustrating" reaction after his eye was gouged by South Africa's Eben Etzebeth during their record autumn Test defeat in Cardiff, an incident which saw the Springboks player sent off and later handed a 12-week ban. Mann insisted that he had not initially provoked the visiting team before expressing his desire to move on from the furore.
'This could be a straight red' - Etzebeth is dismissed after violent conduct
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Wales' Alex Mann has opened up on the eye-gouging incident with South Africa's Eben Etzebeth in last November’s Quilter Nations Series international, describing the fallout from the "pretty mad" moment as "frustrating."
With two minutes remaining in the Test, which South Africa won 73-0, Etzebeth's thumb appeared to make contact with the eye area of Wales forward Mann and the referee Luc Ramos and TMO agreed they had seen an eye-gouge, sending off the Springbok.
A disciplinary panel later handed Etzebeth a 12-week ban for the incident, meaning he will be eligible to play again in March this year.
After the match, there were suggestions that Mann had provoked the Springboks, with Etzebeth’s actions part of an alleged retaliation. However, the Welshman strongly refuted those suggestions.
"It was pretty mad. I think I was getting sent clips of it every 30 seconds, to be honest with you," Mann explained, as reported by Rugbypass.
"Obviously, it was frustrating because it wasn’t the truth," he added about the allegations that he had provoked the opposition.
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Etzebeth scores South Africa's 11th try during demolition against Wales
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"I knew the truth and it was clear to see. There’s not much more I can say on that.
"Look, it’s in the past for me now. It was a bit of handbags and everyone could see what happened."
In the wake of the disciplinary hearing, Etzebeth released a lengthy explanation of the incident on his Instagram.
"Now that my hearing is done I think I owe everyone an explanation," Etzebeth wrote.
"First of all, this is not a post to show that I was not guilty, I accept guilt.
"I made a mistake and I'm willing to serve a suspension which I deserve. I don't want young kids who look up to the Springboks to think that it's OK to eye gouge someone, because it's not, but unfortunately, mistakes happen and I made a big one, for which I'm sorry…
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Wales vs South Africa Highlights: Wales suffer heaviest ever home defeat against Springboks
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"Thanks to everyone that stood by me and thought the best of me. I'm sorry for letting you and the game down. That was my first red card since I started playing. I want it to be my last.
"To the people that were angry and upset with my actions, I understand - because it didn't look good on the slow-motion replay."
Mann himself is keen to move on from the incident with his focus firmly on playing Racing 92 in the Challenge Cup this weekend for Cardiff, before attention begins to turn towards the Six Nations next month.
"I didn’t really think about it," he added. "It is what it is. I didn’t really think twice, I just got on with my stuff and focused on what I have been doing.
"I am just looking forward to this weekend."
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