'It appeared unfavorable' - Springboks coach reacts to Etzebeth dismissal

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Springboks head coach the national team coach conceded "the optics weren't great" in the wake of legendary lock Eben Etzebeth received a red card due to eye contact against Wales

The Springboks secured a flawless end-of-year tour with a dominant performance in Cardiff registering eleven touchdowns during a 73-0 win

Yet nearly the last action of the international year was Etzebeth, who crossed for the final score being dismissed from the official Luc Ramos

The 34-year-old was shown a dismissal due to contact the eye area of the Welsh player the back-row forward using his thumb during late-game altercation

"I don't know what to comment that avoids controversy. The visual was unfavorable therefore it became a legitimate dismissal," said Erasmus

"The manner it occurred and what prompted it, whether there was provocation, I cannot confirm, yet it's absolutely not the manner we had hoped to conclude the match. In my view that the optics were great"

The second-row forward, who increased his national team milestone through receiving cap number 141 during the match, seems destined to be given a prolonged period out

His domestic franchise start their continental tournament at Toulouse on Sunday, 7 December before a home game against Saracens plus local rivalries during the holidays

The world champions dominated the Welsh in a fixture that was one-sided from the start

The new coach's tenure has commenced with multiple significant losses against top-tier nations plus a narrow victory facing the Brave Blossoms

The Welsh team has suffered multiple defeats in recent games but the coach attempted to offer some comfort

"I believe our team has been developing and advancing, this represented a disciplined display," he commented

"The Welsh team are not players that give up yield to pressure, they battle continuously. This was one of the really clinical performances with our team displaying total dedication"

"The team includes a quality leader and shall return. We understand fortunes can reverse as demonstrated in 1998 we overcame them (comprehensively) subsequently fell in 1999"

The national team end the calendar as the number one side following victories in consecutive southern hemisphere crowns

The Springboks have demonstrated their impressive resources and power yet Erasmus pointed to their previous lower ranking

"We experienced similar circumstances and supporters expressing anger, yet Welsh supporters remain," he commented

"There is the support and the team demonstrates determination. Get one or two wins, build momentum and things will change

"I'm aware that things changed from 2016, when we were nowhere, to 2019 when we won the World Cup. All outcomes are achievable"

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