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Etzebeth incident: I was wrongly accused
By Ian Cameron
Springbok superstar Eben Etzebeth has opened up about the alleged incident in Langebaan that overshadowed his participation in the Rugby World Cup.
Etzebeth was one of Toulon’s big signings in the summer alongside the likes of Baptiste Serin and Sergio Parisse, yet the still unresolved incident remains a topic of discussion around the 6'8, 122kg secondrow.
It is alleged Etzebeth used racial slurs against a man outside a pub in Langebaan near Cape Town in August.
The South African has always maintained his innocence throughout and in November asked for the decision for his case to be referred to the Equality Court to be reviewed, insisting that the allegations are false and that he wants a “thorough, lawful investigation”.
Etzebeh spoke in some detail about the incident in an interview with Midi Olympique in France.
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“Firstly, and this is what I explained to the legal authorities, it’s completely false,” Etzebeth told the publication.
“I was at the place where the incident occurred and I did nothing wrong.
“I said nothing. I’ve always been someone who loves people,” Etzebeth told Midi Olympique. “It’s unfortunate, but the people who took it out on me are accusing the wrong person.
“I think that they have other motives because it’s false. We’ll see what happens in the future, but the truth will end up coming out.”
The Springbok lock joined Toulon after having spent seven years with the Stormers in Super Rugby and enjoyed a short stint in Japan with NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes. The 85-times capped forward played a pivotal role in delivering South Africa’s second Rugby World Cup earlier this year and is still expected to be one of the key components in Rassie Erasmus’ side as they build towards defending their title in France in 2023.
Etzebeth admitted that the incident was the subject of a discussion with Springbok Rugby World Cup-winning coach.
“Fortunately, he believes in his players and trusted me,” he said.
“He knew that I had been honest with him and that I would never have done what they accuse me of, not least a few days from the World Cup.”
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Latest Comments
That is a matter of players style of play. Will Jordan's strength is his running . He has been absolutely deadly for the the Crusaders in that position. Especially in years 2021-23. Foster subsequently then Razor put him on the wing. Scored heaps of tries, but as he showed in one test against Australia this year , he scored a try running from the back, that was amazing. That was after Robertson finally put him at 15 because Beauden was injured. Thankfully there Will remained. Speaking of Beauden and kicking. He kicks too much, waywardly as well. Handing the ball back to the opposition. He is an impact player at best.
Go to commentsYet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
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