'The optics were poor' - 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 Eben Etzebeth received a red card for an eye gouge versus the Welsh team

The Springboks completed a flawless end-of-year tour through overwhelming play in Cardiff to score eleven touchdowns during a 73-0 win

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 Luc Ramos

The experienced player received a red card for making contact with the left eye of the Welsh player Alex Mann with his thumb in a 79th-minute scuffle

"It's difficult to say how to respond that won't be controversial. It didn't look good therefore it became a justified red card," commented the coach

"The manner it occurred and why it happened, if he was instigated, it's unclear, yet it's absolutely not the manner that we would have liked to end the game. In my view that the optics were great"

The experienced player, who extended his Springboks record by earning a 141st cap in Cardiff, looks certain to be given an extended suspension

His club side start their Champions Cup campaign at Toulouse early December before a home game versus the English club and South African derbies through the Christmas season

The world champions dominated the Welsh throughout the contest that became unbalanced from the beginning

The current management's period has started following substantial reverses against top-tier nations and a last-gasp win versus the Asian side

The national side has experienced numerous losses in current form yet Erasmus tried to offer some comfort

"I feel our team has been developing and improving, this was a controlled performance," he said

"Wales are not players that give up and take the shots, they battle continuously. This represented an exceptionally precise display with our team displaying maximum commitment"

"The Welsh possess a quality leader and will rebound. We recognize situations can transform as demonstrated in 1998 we beat them (comprehensively) then were defeated the following year"

South Africa conclude the season top of world rugby having secured consecutive southern hemisphere crowns

South Africa's team have showcased their formidable depth and prowess however the manager recalled their former position

"We experienced similar circumstances and people were burning jerseys, but the Welsh people are here," he noted

"There is the support with the squad showing spirit. Get one or two wins, create a streak and circumstances will improve

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

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