'It didn't look good' - Erasmus reacts to Eben Etzebeth sending off

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Springboks head coach the national team coach conceded "it didn't appear favorable" after experienced second-row Eben Etzebeth was dismissed for an eye gouge in the match with Wales

South Africa's national team secured an autumn clean sweep by going on the rampage during the match netting eleven touchdowns in a 73-nil victory

Yet nearly the last action of the Test season was Etzebeth, who went over the last try being dismissed by referee the presiding official

The veteran forward was shown a red card for making contact the facial region of opponent Alex Mann using his thumb in a 79th-minute scuffle

"I'm uncertain what to comment without causing debate. It didn't look good making it a legitimate dismissal," stated the manager

"How it happened and why it happened, and if he was provoked, it's unclear, but it's definitely not the way we had hoped to finish the contest. In my view the visual impression was positive"

Etzebeth, who increased his cap achievement by earning his 141st appearance during the match, looks certain to receive a prolonged period out

His Sharks team commence their European competition at Toulouse early December before a home game against Saracens plus local rivalries during the holidays

The reigning titleholders overpowered Wales throughout the contest that became unbalanced from the beginning

The new coach's tenure has started following substantial reverses against top-tier nations and a last-gasp win facing the Brave Blossoms

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

"In my opinion that we have been building and improving, this was a controlled performance," he commented

"Wales are not a team that just roll over yield to pressure, they battle continuously. This represented a remarkably efficient showing featuring our squad exhibiting total dedication"

"Wales have a quality leader and will come back. We recognize it can change and in 1998 we beat them (comprehensively) then were defeated in 1999"

The Springboks end the calendar as the number one side after winning back-to-back Rugby Championship titles

The Springboks have demonstrated their formidable depth and capability however the manager recalled their previous lower ranking

"We experienced similar circumstances and people were burning jerseys, however the fans continue attending," he noted

"There is the support and the players have the fight. Get one or two wins, build momentum and things will change

"I recognize that fortunes reversed from 2016, when we were nowhere, culminating in the 2019 championship. Anything is possible"

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• Wales national team
• Wales Rugby Union
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