'It appeared unfavorable' - Erasmus on Eben Etzebeth sending off
Eben Etzebeth has won dual world championships for his nation
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South Africa manager the national team coach conceded "the optics weren't great" following veteran forward Eben Etzebeth received a red card for making contact with an opponent's eye versus the Welsh team
The Springboks achieved an autumn clean sweep by going on the rampage at the Welsh capital to score 11 tries resulting in a 73-nil victory
Yet virtually the concluding moment of the international year was Etzebeth, who went over the concluding points receiving a red card by referee Luc Ramos
The 34-year-old received a dismissal for touching the eye area of Wales flanker Alex Mann using his thumb in a 79th-minute scuffle
"It's difficult to say what to comment without causing debate. The appearance was poor making it a proper sending-off," said Erasmus
"How it happened and the reasons behind it, if he was instigated, it's unclear, yet it's absolutely not the manner that we would have liked to conclude the match. I don't think it appeared favorable"
Etzebeth, who expanded his Springboks record through receiving a 141st cap in Wales, appears likely to be given an extended suspension
His domestic franchise begin their European competition at Toulouse on Sunday, 7 December prior to a domestic match facing the London side and South African derbies through the Christmas season
The champions' measured intensity
The top-ranked team dominated the Welsh in a fixture which proved lopsided from the beginning
The current management's period has begun with multiple significant losses versus leading rugby powers plus a narrow victory facing the Brave Blossoms
The national side has experienced numerous losses in current form but the coach attempted to offer some comfort
"In my opinion that we have been building and building up, this was a controlled performance," he said
"The Welsh are not players who surrender easily yield to pressure, they battle continuously. This was an exceptionally precise display and us putting maximum commitment"
"Wales have an excellent manager and will rebound. We know situations can transform like the 1998 example we defeated them (comprehensively) then were defeated soon after"
South Africa end the calendar top of world rugby having secured consecutive southern hemisphere crowns
The world champions have showcased their impressive resources and capability but the coach referenced their former position
"We were in that situation and people were burning jerseys, however the fans continue attending," he noted
"The backing exists and the team demonstrates determination. Achieve early successes, build momentum and circumstances will improve
"I recognize that fortunes reversed starting from a low base in 2016, to 2019 when we won the World Cup. Potential remains unlimited"
Connected themes
- Wales national team
- National organization
- International rugby