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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

Springboks v Australia mass brawl as wild-eyed Etzebeth goes nuts and Mapimpi gets revenge on Koroibete

A huge confrontation erupted in the Australia v South Africa match after Makazole Mapimpi got the better of Marika Koroibete a week after the Wallaby's controversial try-saving tackle stole the headlines.

Mapimpi finished off a South African attack in style late in the game, evading the clutches of Koroibete after being wiped out by his opponent in a similar try-scoring position seven days earlier. Many, including Nigel Owens, believed Koroibete's hit was illegal last weekend and the moment was clearly front and centre of Mapimpi's mind as he dived over this time.

And he couldn't resist rubbing Koroibete's face in it, immediately confronting him as he lay on the floor after the attempted tackle. That infuriated the Wallabies and proved to be the moment all hell broke loose.

A raft of players joined in the pushing and shoving as they drove each other towards the advertising hoardings. Some spectators jumped out of their seats and moved backwards as they sat just yards away from the unfolding tension.

Taking centre stage was Eben Etzebeth, the Springboks enforcer whose wild-eyed and vocal disagreement with Allan Alaalatoa went on for some time as officials tried and failed to intervene.

The incident was pored over by the referee and TMO for what seemed like an eternity before just Mapimpi was yellow carded for sparking it all. In truth, Etzebeth can probably count himself lucky to have not received the same punishment.

The Springboks proved comfortable winners in the end, beating the Wallabies 24-8 to record a first victory on Australian soil since 2013.

After the match, both Etzebeth and Alaalatoa shared a beer in the changing room to bury the hatchet. You can watch that clip here.

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