'It didn't look good' - Springboks coach reacts to Eben Etzebeth dismissal

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Springboks manager the national team coach admitted "the visual impression was poor" in the wake of veteran forward Eben Etzebeth was dismissed due to eye contact versus the Welsh team

South Africa's national team completed a flawless end-of-year tour with a dominant performance in Cardiff to score eleven touchdowns during a comprehensive shutout

Yet virtually the concluding moment of the international year was Etzebeth, who went over the concluding points getting sent off through the decision of the presiding official

The 34-year-old was shown a sending-off due to contact the eye area of opponent the back-row forward using his thumb in a 79th-minute scuffle

"I don't know how to respond that avoids controversy. The visual was unfavorable therefore it became a proper sending-off," said Erasmus

"How it happened and what prompted it, if he was instigated, I cannot confirm, yet it's absolutely not how that we would have liked to end the game. I believe that the optics were great"

The second-row forward, who increased his Springboks record by earning his 141st appearance in Cardiff, looks certain to receive an extended suspension

His club side commence their Champions Cup campaign at Toulouse on Sunday, 7 December followed by a home fixture versus the English club and South African derbies through the Christmas season

The world champions overwhelmed their opponents during the match that was one-sided from the off

The new coach's tenure has begun with three heavy autumn defeats against top-tier nations plus a narrow victory facing the Brave Blossoms

The national side has experienced multiple defeats in recent games yet Erasmus tried to offer some comfort

"In my opinion our team has been developing and improving, this demonstrated a disciplined display," he said

"The Welsh team are not a team that just roll over and take the shots, they compete throughout. This was one of the really clinical performances and us putting our soul out on the game"

"Wales have an excellent manager and will rebound. We understand situations can transform like the 1998 example we defeated them (96-13) and then lost soon after"

The Springboks finish the year as the number one side having secured consecutive southern hemisphere crowns

The Springboks have displayed their impressive resources and power but the coach referenced their previous lower ranking

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

"The encouragement continues and the team demonstrates determination. Achieve early successes, get on a roll and circumstances will improve

"I know that things changed starting from a low base in 2016, to 2019 when we won the World Cup. Potential remains unlimited"

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