Court case threatens Springboks forward
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth could be forced to leave Japan midway through the World Cup after the South African Human Rights Commission confirmed it was taking him to court over a case of alleged physical and racial abuse.
The commission said yesterday it would ‘‘institute legal proceedings’’ against Etzebeth at an equality court today. That’s the same day that Etzebeth, a key member of the South African team, is due to play against Italy in a crucial World Cup pool game in Shizuoka.
It’s unclear if the court will require that Etzebeth return home to take part in proceedings. A South Africa team spokesman in Japan didn’t immediately reply to messages requesting clarification. Etzebeth was accused of racially abusing a person while on a night out during a vacation in the South African coastal town of Langebaan in August. He was also accused of assault the same night. He has denied both allegations.
The late-night incidents are alleged to have happened the day before South Africa’s World Cup squad was announced.
SA Rugby promised to cooperate with authorities and said it would take a hard-line approach if Etzebeth was found to be guilty. But it also backed Etzebeth after his denials, saying we ‘‘trust our people to act responsibly.’’
Etzebeth met with the human rights commission, the HRC, before flying to Japan with the Springboks squad. The allegations are also being investigated by criminal prosecutors.
The human rights commission and equality courts were set up in the wake of South Africa’s apartheid past and deal with cases of racial and also other discrimination. The courts generally operate like civil courts. The person accusing Etzebeth of racial abuse and assault made a complaint to the human rights commission.
The 27-year-old Etzebeth, who is 2.07m, has played 81 tests and is one of the squad’s most experienced players.