'The optics were poor' - Springboks coach on Eben Etzebeth red card

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South Africa manager Rassie Erasmus acknowledged "the optics weren't great" after veteran forward the towering player received a red card for an eye gouge versus the Welsh team

The Springboks completed a flawless end-of-year tour with a dominant performance at the Welsh capital netting eleven touchdowns in a 73-nil victory

However virtually the concluding moment of the annual campaign featured the veteran player, who scored for the final score getting sent off from the official the match referee

The experienced player was given a dismissal for touching the eye area of the Welsh player the back-row forward via digital contact in a 79th-minute scuffle

"I don't know how to respond that avoids controversy. The visual was unfavorable making it a proper sending-off," commented the coach

"How it happened and what prompted it, whether there was provocation, I cannot confirm, yet it's absolutely not how we preferred to end the game. In my view the visual impression was positive"

The second-row forward, who increased his national team milestone when winning a 141st cap during the match, seems destined to receive a prolonged period out

His Sharks team start their continental tournament against the French side early December followed by a home fixture against Saracens plus local rivalries through the Christmas season

The top-ranked team overwhelmed their opponents throughout the contest which proved lopsided from the beginning

The new coach's tenure has started following substantial reverses versus leading rugby powers plus a narrow victory versus the Asian side

The national side has experienced 21 of their last 23 Test matches yet Erasmus tried to offer some comfort

"I believe that we have been building and advancing, this represented a controlled performance," he stated

"The Welsh team are not players who surrender easily accept defeat, they fight until the end. This demonstrated an exceptionally precise display with our team displaying maximum commitment"

"Wales have an excellent manager and shall return. We recognize situations can transform as demonstrated in 1998 we overcame them (by a huge margin) and then lost in 1999"

The national team conclude the season top of world rugby following victories in back-to-back Rugby Championship titles

South Africa's team have showcased their impressive resources and power however the manager recalled when they were ranked sixth

"We experienced similar circumstances with fans destroying merchandise, however the fans continue attending," he commented

"The backing exists and the team demonstrates determination. Achieve early successes, get on a roll and results will transform

"I recognize that fortunes reversed from 2016, when we were nowhere, culminating in the 2019 championship. Potential remains unlimited"

Associated subjects

• Rugby in Wales
• The governing body
• International rugby