Johannesburg – Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth has been banned for two weeks for head-butting Australian counterpart Nathan Sharpe, ruling him out of South Africa's Rugby Championship game in New Zealand this weekend.
Etzebeth was found guilty in a Sanzar hearing Monday after he thrust his head into the face of the Wallabies veteran in the 25th minute of Australia's come-from-behind win in Perth on Saturday.
Etzebeth will be clear to play again after September 24 and available for home games against Australia and New Zealand.
The 20-year-old Etzebeth has been one of South Africa's best forwards in a struggling first southern hemisphere championship under new coach Heyneke Meyer.
The Boks battled to a draw with newcomer Argentina, then slipped to a fifth straight loss to Australia on Saturday. – Sapa-AP