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SAHRC dismiss reports they do not have the evidence to charge Etzebeth
By Alex Shaw
When Eben Etzebeth was accused of assaulting and racially abusing two men in Langebaan in August, it was an ominous cloud hanging over the Springboks' Rugby World Cup preparation.
The South African lock has maintained his innocence throughout and recently 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".
Rapport recently reported that the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) did not have the evidence to prosecute, citing that executive head of the SAHRC, Adv Tseliso Thipanyane, had expressed concerns to commissioners that he had not seen any evidence.
Speaking to TimesLIVE on Monday, however, SAHRC chair Bongani Majola contradicted his colleague and claims that the SAHRC has all it needs to proceed.
"There is no truth in those claims. [Thipanyane also said] 'from the complainants we’ve got everything'. We have the evidence.
"We are prepared to go to court. When his application in the high court to stop us from going to the Equality Court is dismissed, then we will be ready to go."
With Etzebeth's appeal to review the decision currently preventing the case from proceeding, there is not currently a timeline as to when this issue will be resolved, with the Rugby World Cup-winner set to join up with Toulon. His appeal is reportedly based on the fact he does not believe there is enough evidence against him.
The Springbok lock agreed to join Toulon earlier this year, 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 month and though he is departing the country, he 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.
If found guilty, however, Etzebeth's future with the Springboks could become far less certain, with the incident potentially proving divisive in a group that was celebrated for its unity during the recent Rugby World Cup.
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Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
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