'The optics were poor' - Springboks coach reacts to Etzebeth dismissal

• Released
  44 minutes ago
• Numerous reactions

South Africa head coach the national team coach admitted "it didn't appear favorable" in the wake of veteran forward the towering player was sent off due to eye contact in the match with Wales

South Africa's national team secured an autumn clean sweep through overwhelming play in Cardiff netting eleven touchdowns in a 73-0 win

However virtually the concluding moment of the international year involved the lock forward, who scored for the final score being dismissed from the official the presiding official

The veteran forward was shown a sending-off for making contact the eye area of Wales flanker the back-row forward via digital contact during late-game altercation

"I'm uncertain what I can say that won't be controversial. It didn't look good therefore it became a proper sending-off," stated the manager

"The manner it occurred and why it happened, whether there was provocation, I cannot confirm, however it's certainly not how we preferred to finish the contest. In my view it appeared favorable"

The experienced player, who increased his Springboks record through receiving cap number 141 in Wales, seems destined to receive a prolonged period out

His club side begin their European competition at Toulouse early December prior to a domestic match versus the English club plus local rivalries over the festive period

The top-ranked team overpowered Wales throughout the contest that became unbalanced from the beginning

Steve Tandy's reign has started with multiple significant losses to South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina alongside a late triumph versus the Asian side

Wales have lost multiple defeats in recent games yet Erasmus tried to give reassurance

"I feel our team has been developing and building up, this was a disciplined display," he commented

"The Welsh are not a team who surrender easily and take the shots, they fight until the end. This represented a remarkably efficient showing and us putting maximum commitment"

"The Welsh possess a great coach and will come back. We recognize fortunes can reverse like the 1998 example we defeated them (by a huge margin) and then lost soon after"

The Springboks conclude the season as the number one side following victories in back-to-back Rugby Championship titles

The Springboks have demonstrated 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 said

"There is the support and the players have the fight. Achieve early successes, build momentum and results will transform

"I know that situations transformed from our previous struggles, culminating in the 2019 championship. Anything is possible"

Related topics

• Rugby in Wales
• The governing body
• The sport