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Court case could threaten Etzebeth's World Cup

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth

Eben Etzebeth may be forced to leave the Rugby World Cup after the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said it was taking him to court following an alleged incident of racial abuse in August.

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The Springboks lock has been accused of making racist comments, assaulting and pointing a gun at a homeless man outside a pub in Langebann in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

He 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.

Yet Etzebeth’s participation in the remainder of South Africa’s World Cup campaign is now in doubt, with the SAHRC confirming that they will institute legal proceeding against the player in the Equality Court on Friday, according to South African news outlet News24, the same day that South Africa take on Italy in Japan.

A spokesman for the SAHRC said a court date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.

Depending on how far South Africa advance in Japan, and how soon a court date is set, the player may be forced to fly home from the tournament. The details should become clearer on Friday.

Before the World Cup, South Africa Rugby had vowed to cooperate fully with investigations and promised to “take appropriate action once the legal investigation and process have concluded”.

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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