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

• Posted
  Less than an hour ago
• Over sixty responses

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted "the visual impression was poor" in the wake of veteran forward Eben Etzebeth was dismissed due to eye contact versus the Welsh team

The Springboks achieved an autumn clean sweep with a dominant performance during the match registering 11 tries in a 73-nil victory

Yet nearly the last action of the annual campaign involved the lock forward, who crossed the concluding points being dismissed through the decision of the match referee

The 34-year-old was given a dismissal due to contact with the left eye of Wales flanker the back-row forward with his thumb during late-game altercation

"I don't know what to comment without causing debate. The visual was unfavorable therefore it became a justified red card," said Erasmus

"The way it unfolded and why it happened, if he was instigated, it's unclear, however it's certainly not the way that we would have liked to finish the contest. I believe the visual impression was positive"

The second-row forward, who increased his Springboks record by earning a 141st cap in Cardiff, seems destined to face a lengthy ban

His club side start their European competition at Toulouse early December followed by a home fixture versus the English club and South African derbies over the festive period

The top-ranked team overwhelmed their opponents in a fixture that became unbalanced from the start

Steve Tandy's reign has started following substantial reverses against top-tier nations plus a narrow victory versus the Asian side

The national side has experienced numerous losses in current form however the manager sought to provide encouragement

"I feel our team has been developing and building up, this demonstrated a controlled performance," he stated

"The Welsh team are not players who surrender easily yield to pressure, they fight until the end. This was one of the really clinical performances with our team displaying total dedication"

"The Welsh possess a quality leader and will come back. We recognize fortunes can reverse like the 1998 example we beat them (96-13) subsequently fell in 1999"

The national team end the calendar as the number one side having secured successive tournament wins

South Africa's team have displayed their extensive squad strength and prowess but the coach referenced when they were ranked sixth

"Our team faced comparable conditions with fans destroying merchandise, however the fans continue attending," he said

"The encouragement continues and the team demonstrates determination. Get one or two wins, get on a roll and results will transform

"I recognize that fortunes reversed from our previous struggles, culminating in the 2019 championship. Anything is possible"

Related topics

• Rugby in Wales
• Wales Rugby Union
• Rugby Union