Etzebeth accepts 12-week ban but claims eye-gouge ‘was never intentional’

South Africa's Eben Etzebeth clashes with Wales' Alex Mann, later resulting in a red card and 12-week ban Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Eben Etzebeth, the Springboks lock serving a 12-week ban for eye-gouging Alex Mann of Wales, has claimed it was “never intentional”, contradicting the verdict of an independent disciplinary committee announced last week.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday the Sharks second row accepted guilt and apologised, saying “unfortunately mistakes happen”. The 34-year-old double Rugby World Cup winner also appeared to distance himself from the act by drawing attention to “other factors”. Along with three videos accompanying the post, Etzebeth claimed two Welsh players involved in the fracas, along with Mann, changed “the dynamic of the entire picture”.