'You've got more context now': Eben Etzebeth speaks out with 404-word message

Eben the gouger strikes

This is a non event, all this fuss is because people just cant stand that the Springboks are so good. Eben has 140 something caps and this is his first red and this is despite being an “enforcer”. 140+ caps, try and process that!

The welsh wussy seemed perfectly okay to me? So cant have been a “gouge” in the true sense of the word (to make a hole or dent), just a push, regardless of how it happened!

This is Rugby not tiddlywinks! Get a life, move on for Gods sake!

It is so obvious from every video and image that he repeatedly and deliberately went for his eyes.

Translation:

“I truly believed that I could do whatever I want on the field without consequences because of my reputation. I thought I was in the same league as Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton, but I found out the hard way that I’m not. Following the multiple occasions referees have completely ignored my actions while giving away game defining penalties, I assumed they would do the same on this occasion. It is deeply unfair that I am not allowed to eye gouge someone in retaliation to them pushing me. Do they not know who I am?”

Eben has one good point. Everything looks worse in slow motion.

However.

You’re either guilty, or you’re not. Don’t plead guilty, then try to justify it as an accident.

Don’t say sorry for eye gouging, then try to justify it as unintentional.

It’s one or the other.

Own up to it. Or fight for your innocence. Anything else is a massive cop out.

“I don’t want the kids to think it’s ok to eye gouge, its not….but….”

He deliberately eye gouged a player, swore to Kolisi and co afterwards it was accidental and now keeps up the ruse “For the kids..”.

Pretty pitiful stuff, hoped for better to be honest.

Moving on…

‘Sorry, heat of the moment, rush of blood, not intentional’. That’s all it needs to be. This does, unfortunately, read like an attempt to justify.

Imagine if Curry released something similar re the Contepomi incident to stop speculation? The man would be ripped to shreds.

Don’t worry Eben, I think most rugby fans knew.

You just gotta accept sometimes you get beat and that continuing to try and get the best of him when been outplayed is a bit desperate and not a good look for the Springbok aura.

Eben. You need a better publicist.

I honestly thought we couldn’t ventilate this any more.

Round two of hysterics incoming…

Any statement with a ‘but’ in it is not an apology. It’s an excuse.

Personally, I think it is bringing the game into disrepute - I’d ban him further for it.

Man up Eben. This is no apology. This is you saying sorry but still trying to say it wasn’t all you with added slides and bla bla bla.

Here is what Bakkies Botha said on the same day he got suspended for 9 weeks for his headbutt on Jimmy Cowan.

“I apologise to Jimmy Cowan and the New Zealand rugby public for what happened. Rugby is a physical sport but it has to be played within the boundaries and spirit of the law. I truly regret my actions and will make sure I put the extended time away from the game to positive use and return to playing with the right attitude”.

This is how you do it.

What you just put out is a joke. Only Saffas will believe this apology of yours. Sies man.

Not good enough.

World rugby requires a mandatory 400 word limit to apologies thankyou very much Mr Etzebeth 😉