'It appeared unfavorable' - Springboks coach on Eben Etzebeth dismissal

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South Africa leader Rassie Erasmus admitted "it didn't appear favorable" following veteran forward Eben Etzebeth received a red card for making contact with an opponent's eye versus the Welsh team

The Springboks completed a flawless end-of-year tour with a dominant performance in Cardiff netting eleven touchdowns in a comprehensive shutout

Yet virtually the concluding moment of the Test season was Etzebeth, who scored the last try getting sent off by referee the presiding official

The 34-year-old was given a red card for touching the eye area of Wales flanker the back-row forward using his thumb during late-game altercation

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

"The manner it occurred and the reasons behind it, and if he was provoked, I cannot confirm, yet it's absolutely not the manner that we would have liked to conclude the match. I believe it appeared favorable"

Etzebeth, who extended his cap achievement when winning his 141st appearance in Wales, seems destined to face a lengthy ban

His club side begin their European competition against the French side early December followed by a home fixture against Saracens and South African derbies during the holidays

The reigning titleholders overpowered Wales during the match that became unbalanced from the off

The new coach's tenure has commenced with multiple significant losses to South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina alongside a late triumph versus the Asian side

The national side has experienced multiple defeats in recent games but the coach attempted to give reassurance

"I believe our team has been developing and building up, this was a disciplined display," he commented

"The Welsh team are not guys who surrender easily yield to pressure, they fight until the end. This represented one of the really clinical performances featuring our squad exhibiting our soul out on the game"

"The team includes a great coach and shall return. We recognize it can change and in 1998 we beat them (by a huge margin) then were defeated the following year"

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

The world champions have showcased their impressive resources and power yet Erasmus pointed to when they were ranked sixth

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

"There is the support with the squad showing spirit. Achieve early successes, create a streak and things will change

"I know that fortunes reversed starting from a low base in 2016, culminating in the 2019 championship. Potential remains unlimited"

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