'Lucky not to see straight red': What triggered Etzebeth's manic episode

The second test between the Wallabies and the Springboks at Allianz Stadium in Sydney exploded after Makazole Mapimpi’s unsportsmanlike conduct after scoring a try over Marika Koroibete.

For the second week in a row the two wings collided in the corner but this time the Springbok wing scored his try as Koroibete tried to wrap the ball in an attempt to hold him up.

The tackle attempt was a legal attempt by the Wallaby but Mapimpi took exception and grabbed him by the throat area sparking a wild confrontation between the two sides.

Koroibete was quickly surrounded by three Springboks after trying to grab Mapimipi back before his Wallabies teammates could make their way over.

Never one to shy away from a push-and-shove, South African lock Eben Etzebeth was in the thick of it with Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa which had many on Twitter impressed with his fiery show labelled ‘terrifying’.

Never seen Eben Etzebeth this manic! #AUSvsRSA pic.twitter.com/3JohUR620m

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 3, 2022

I think sometimes we take for granted just how fucking terrifying Eben Etzebeth is and he needs a moment of slo-mo like that to remind us all

— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) September 3, 2022

The camera work by the Nine/Stan crew…outstanding. Could literally see Etzebeth’s eyes bulging. Very good at this sport broadcasting business. #AUSvsRSA

— Paul Cully (@paulcullystuff) September 3, 2022

The angry, enraged Boks are my favourite type. Feisty, aggy, alpha-type stuff that only comes out after being embarrassed a few times. Couple of losses and they really fire up. That epic slow mo shirt-grab will have to be on Etzebeth’s next highlight reel. #AUSvRSA

— Ben Smith (@bensmithrugby) September 3, 2022

Eben Etzebeth is more terrifying than any Haka could ever be.

— Blakashi (@Spocter_) September 3, 2022

Winger Makazole Mapimpi was issued a yellow card for his role in sparking the unsavoury scenes that threatened to spill over into the crowd, but Etzebeth was not punished despite French touch judge Tual Trainini trying to break up the action.

Welsh rugby writer Stephen Jones thought Etzebeth should have been shown a red card for his role in proceedings, which he described as ‘inflammatory’ after previous warnings for his side.

The Springboks had conceded five straight penalties for ill-discipline and were on a warning in a period of play a few minutes before the melee started.

One fan called for the introduction of unsportsmanlike penalties to deal with instances of aggressive behaviour shown by the Springbok lock.

Mapimpi, the scorer, had to see yellow for a horrible pisstaking gesture but Etzebeth so lucky not to see straight red for stream inflammatory gestures after previous warnings – ref has never been on top of this.

— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) September 3, 2022

If Swain got a red for the"head butt" Etzebeth should get 10 weeks #AUSvRSA. Time for serious unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. I've heard and read a bit about how it cleaned up shit in the NFL in no time.

— Huw Tindall (@HuwTindall) September 3, 2022

Etzebeth is lucky still be on the pitch after that fracas. That was a wild look in his eyes #AUSvsRSA

— Julian (@MrJWathen) September 3, 2022

It is not clear how Etzebeth and Alaalatoa became entangled as the Springbok was initially tangled up with reserve flanker Pete Samu. Both players appeared to fall over into the pile of bodies.

#AUSvRSA beast mode activated 🤣🤣😳 ungam try u Etzebeth pic.twitter.com/IhTTe0jrwM

— Thando-Penelope♉️ (@tddoz) September 3, 2022

One South African fan believes that he identified why Etzebeth was so mad, sharing a clip that shows Alaalatoa butting heads with the Springbok to set him off.

It is unclear whether Alaalatoa was retaliating to an earlier indiscretion.

This is what made Etzebeth so angry.
Head butt from Aussie hooker pic.twitter.com/Z3z3xLumV8

— Pauly (@PaulyCocks) September 3, 2022

The pair were able to squash their differences after the game with Georgina Robinson of the Sydney Morning Herald reporting the two were seen sharking hands, unlike Pablo Matera and Dane Coles in the All Blacks Argentina game.

Etzebeth and Alaalatoa shake hands after the whistle. Grown up stuff.

— Georgina Robinson (@geerob) September 3, 2022