'It didn't look good' - Erasmus reacts to Eben Etzebeth sending off

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Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged "the optics weren't great" after experienced second-row Eben Etzebeth received a red card due to eye contact against Wales

South Africa's national team completed an autumn clean sweep through overwhelming play at the Welsh capital to score eleven touchdowns in a 73-nil victory

Nevertheless almost the final act of the Test season involved the lock forward, who crossed for the final score being dismissed by referee Luc Ramos

The 34-year-old was shown a sending-off for making contact the facial region of opponent the back-row forward with his thumb in a match-ending incident

"I don't know what I can say without causing debate. It didn't look good therefore it became a justified red card," commented the coach

"How it happened and the reasons behind it, if he was instigated, it's unclear, yet it's absolutely not the way that we would have liked to conclude the match. I believe that the optics were great"

Etzebeth, who expanded his national team milestone through receiving his 141st appearance during the match, looks certain to face a lengthy ban

His Sharks team commence their continental tournament at Toulouse this coming weekend before a home game versus the English club and South African derbies during the holidays

The world champions dominated the Welsh during the match that was one-sided from the beginning

The new coach's tenure has commenced with multiple significant losses to South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina alongside a late triumph facing the Brave Blossoms

The Welsh team has suffered 21 of their last 23 Test matches but the coach attempted to give reassurance

"I believe the squad has been progressing and building up, this demonstrated a controlled performance," he stated

"The Welsh team are not players that just roll over yield to pressure, they fight until the end. This was one of the really clinical performances featuring our squad exhibiting total dedication"

"Wales have an excellent manager and will come back. We recognize fortunes can reverse like the 1998 example we beat them (by a huge margin) subsequently fell the following year"

South Africa finish the year as the number one side following victories in consecutive southern hemisphere crowns

The world champions have displayed their extensive squad strength and prowess but the coach referenced when they were ranked sixth

"We were in that situation with fans destroying merchandise, however the fans continue attending," he noted

"The backing exists and the players have the fight. Secure initial victories, create a streak and circumstances will improve

"I know that things changed from 2016, when we were nowhere, achieving global success. Potential remains unlimited"

Related topics

• Wales national team
• National organization
• Rugby Union