'The optics were poor' - Springboks coach on Eben Etzebeth sending off
The veteran lock has won dual world championships for his nation
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Springboks manager the national team coach conceded "it didn't appear favorable" in the wake of legendary lock Eben Etzebeth received a red card due to eye contact versus the Welsh team
The Springboks achieved a perfect autumn series with a dominant performance during the match registering 11 tries resulting in a 73-nil victory
Nevertheless nearly the last action of the annual campaign involved the lock forward, who scored the last try being dismissed from the official the match referee
The 34-year-old received a red card due to contact the facial region of Wales flanker Alex Mann using his thumb in a match-ending incident
"It's difficult to say what to comment without causing debate. The visual was unfavorable making it a justified red card," said Erasmus
"How it happened and what prompted it, whether there was provocation, it's unclear, yet it's absolutely not the manner that we would have liked to conclude the match. I don't think that the optics were great"
Etzebeth, who expanded his Springboks record when winning a 141st cap in Wales, seems destined to receive a lengthy ban
His Sharks team start their European competition in France early December before a home game facing the London side including domestic clashes during the holidays
Springboks' controlled aggression
The world champions overwhelmed their opponents in a fixture that became unbalanced from the start
The current management's period has commenced with three heavy autumn defeats versus leading rugby powers alongside a late triumph facing the Brave Blossoms
The Welsh team has suffered numerous losses in current form but the coach attempted to offer some comfort
"In my opinion the squad has been progressing and improving, this was a disciplined display," he commented
"Wales are not a team that just roll over yield to pressure, they compete throughout. This represented an exceptionally precise display featuring our squad exhibiting our soul out on the game"
"The team includes a great coach and shall return. We know fortunes can reverse like the 1998 example we defeated them (by a huge margin) then were defeated the following year"
The Springboks end the calendar ranked first globally following victories in successive tournament wins
The Springboks have displayed their formidable depth and capability yet Erasmus pointed to their previous lower ranking
"Our team faced comparable conditions and people were burning jerseys, but the Welsh people are here," he said
"The backing exists with the squad showing spirit. Get one or two wins, create a streak and things will change
"I'm aware that situations transformed from our previous struggles, to 2019 when we won the World Cup. Potential remains unlimited"
Connected themes
- Wales national team
- The governing body
- International rugby
