A Racial storm has burst around the head of Springbok star Eben Etzebeth just a day before the Springbok World Cup squad is due to be announced on Monday.
The Bok lock, 27, has been accused of calling people hot****e at a restaurant in Langebaan, but has denied this in a Facebook post on Sunday.
A YouTube video posted by Jako Bako on Sunday is entitled: “Eben Etzebeth and company allegedly assaulted homeless guys in Langebaan.”
In the video, men can be heard screaming, and one group is seen following another group.
A man shouts: “ Maak ’n video van die n**** wat virrie Springbokke speel.”
Another man shouts: “ Waar issie mes, ek sal hom in sy p*** stiek, sy p***.”
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/StrongerTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/GenJwEEVz1
— Springboks (@Springboks)
According to a source, Etzebeth and his friends were leaving the restaurant when one of the men allegedly referred to some coloured men as hot****e and a fight broke out.
The short video clip does not show the alleged fight or any interaction referring to the word “hot****e”.
Etzebeth took to Facebook on Sunday afternoon to address the issue, posting: “It is completely untrue and unfounded to claim that I physically or racially abused anyone in Langebaan as has been reported on social media. Multiple witnesses can corroborate that. I am and will always strive to be a true ambassador to this beautiful rainbow nation and the sport that I love."
By last night, nearly 200 people had commented on the post, mostly in support of Etzebeth.
But one person said: “There are witnesses claiming that you did in fact make these racial statements and that you, your brother and nephews have a reputation for violence and racial slurs. How do you explain this?”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, said no case has been registered at Langebaan Police Station related to this incident.