'It appeared unfavorable' - Erasmus on Eben Etzebeth sending off

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Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted "the optics weren't great" in the wake of veteran forward the towering player was dismissed for making contact with an opponent's eye in the match with Wales

South Africa's national team achieved a flawless end-of-year tour by going on the rampage in Cardiff registering 11 tries resulting in a comprehensive shutout

Yet almost the final act of the Test season featured the veteran player, who scored the concluding points being dismissed from the official Luc Ramos

The veteran forward was given a sending-off for touching the facial region of opponent the back-row forward using his thumb in a match-ending incident

"It's difficult to say how to respond that won't be controversial. The appearance was poor making it a legitimate dismissal," stated the manager

"The way it unfolded and the reasons behind it, whether there was provocation, it's unclear, however it's certainly not the manner that we would have liked to finish the contest. In my view the visual impression was positive"

The second-row forward, who increased his national team milestone when winning his 141st appearance in Wales, looks certain to receive a lengthy ban

His domestic franchise commence their European competition against the French side on Sunday, 7 December followed by a home fixture facing the London side including domestic clashes over the festive period

The reigning titleholders overwhelmed their opponents in a fixture that became unbalanced from the off

The new coach's tenure has begun with three heavy autumn defeats to South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina plus a narrow victory versus the Asian side

Wales have lost 21 of their last 23 Test matches however the manager sought to offer some comfort

"I believe that we have been building and building up, this demonstrated a disciplined display," he said

"The Welsh are not players that give up accept defeat, they compete throughout. This demonstrated one of the really clinical performances and us putting total dedication"

"Wales have an excellent manager and will rebound. We recognize it can change like the 1998 example we defeated them (by a huge margin) subsequently fell in 1999"

The national team finish the year top of world rugby having secured successive tournament wins

The Springboks have showcased their impressive resources and power but the coach referenced when they were ranked sixth

"Our team faced comparable conditions and people were burning jerseys, yet Welsh supporters remain," he commented

"The encouragement continues and the team demonstrates determination. Get one or two wins, build momentum and results will transform

"I recognize that things changed from our previous struggles, to 2019 when we won the World Cup. Anything is possible"

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• Wales national team
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