Bryan Habana has criticised the ban handed to France flank Oscar Jegou, comparing it to the lengthy suspension previously imposed on Eben Etzebeth.
Jegou was banned for four weeks after being cited for making contact with the eye area of Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman during France’s 50-40 Six Nations defeat to Scotland. The incident was missed during the match by the referee and TMO, despite TV replays highlighting the moment shortly afterwards.
A disciplinary panel later ruled the act was “reckless” rather than intentional and imposed a four-week suspension after mitigation.
MORE: Frenchman avoids Eben-length ban for eye-gouge
The punishment drew strong reaction from Habana, who took to X to highlight the contrast between Jegou’s sanction and Etzebeth’s previous eye-gouging ban.
“The inconsistency is just farcical!!!” wrote Habana, who shared a graphic outlining the details of both cases.
“Numerous replays provided for French referee and TMO. Red card given during the game, ‘mid-range entry point. Eighteen-week ban reduced to twelve weeks for ‘good disciplinary record’ and ‘guilty plea and remorse’,” read the text next to the image of Etzebeth.
ALSO: Eben speaks out on eye-gouge
Alongside Jegou’s image, the graphic highlighted how the French forward’s punishment was significantly lighter.
“‘Reckless’ contact with the eye(s). Somehow not seen by Australian referee or TMO. Red given after citing, ‘low-end entry point’. Six-week band reduced to four weeks for ‘good disciplinary record’ and ‘no injury caused to victim’.”
The inconsistency is just farcical!!!
pic.twitter.com/mgie6pXybv
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) March 12, 2026
The post Habana slams ‘farcical inconsistency’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.