Two week headache for Etzebeth

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been suspended for two weeks for his altercation with Wallaby counterpart Nathan Sharpe in Perth on Saturday.

A SANZAR Judicial Hearing found Etzebeth of South Africa guilty of contravening Law 10.4 (a) Punching or Striking after he was cited during the match at the weekend between Australia and South Africa.

The incident occurred in the 25th minute of the match between Australia and South Africa at Patersons Stadium and the SANZAR Judicial Hearing, which was held via videoconference, was heard by Nigel Hampton QC.

Hampton explained: "I was satisfied that this was not an attempt just to push the opposing player away by using his head without contact being made. The player brought his forehead forward and downward with a degree of speed and force into the nose area of the opposing player making contact with that player.

"This was a deliberate act done as a part of an episode of escalating 'tit for tat' pushing and shoving between the two players. As to sanction, intentional striking with the head into the face of another is not to be countenanced under any circumstances," he added.

This means that the powerful Stormers lock will miss this weekend's clash with the All Blacks in Dunedin, with veteran Bakkies Botha set to be called up from his French club Toulon.