Springboks issue statement as legal proceeding against Etzebeth brought

Reporting from Tokyo: The Springboks have issued a statement after news broke yesterday that the South African Human Rights Commission is to take a legal case against secondrow star Eben Etzebeth.

It has been alleged that Etzebeth was involved in a racist incident in Cape Town in which a gun was brandished.

The incident is alleged to have occurred outside a pub in Langebann in the Western Cape province of South Africa and the victim is said to be a homeless man.

The hulking forward has denied all allegations and was interviewed by Human Rights Commission officials before departing for Japan.

Video of the alleged incident circulated on social media following the allegations, which happened the day before South Africa named their 31-man squad for the World Cup.

The SARU say that they have initiated an internal process with the team regarding the matter. What this means for Etzebeth's continued involvement in the Rugby World Cup is unclear.

The Springboks issued the following statement:

"The South African Human Rights Commission announced on Wednesday that it would institute legal proceedings against Eben Etzebeth in the Equality Court, relating to allegations of an incident in Langebaan in August."

An SA Rugby spokesman said: “SA Rugby reaffirms its commitment as a good corporate citizen to abide by any requirements placed on it or its employees by South African authorities. We have fulfilled all requests to date and will continue to do so as and when advised.

"Following our discussions with the South African Human Rights Commission we have instituted an internal process to address the matter, the details of which remain an employment matter between SA Rugby and the player.”

The Stormers lock has been named in the Springbok team to take on Italy this weekend in Shizuoka in Japan. The Springboks must win to have any hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

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