'The optics were poor' - Erasmus discusses Eben Etzebeth sending off

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South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus conceded "it didn't appear favorable" following legendary lock the towering player was sent off due to eye contact in the match with Wales

The Springboks achieved an autumn clean sweep with a dominant performance in Cardiff to score multiple scores in a 73-nil victory

Nevertheless almost the final act of the Test season featured the veteran player, who crossed the last try being dismissed through the decision of Luc Ramos

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

"I don't know how to respond that avoids controversy. The appearance was poor making it a legitimate dismissal," commented the coach

"The way it unfolded and the reasons behind it, and if he was provoked, I am not sure, yet it's absolutely not the way we had hoped to finish the contest. In my view it appeared favorable"

The experienced player, who extended his cap achievement when winning a 141st cap during the match, seems destined to receive a lengthy ban

His domestic franchise begin their Champions Cup campaign against the French side on Sunday, 7 December before a home game facing the London side and South African derbies through the Christmas season

The world champions overpowered Wales in a fixture which proved lopsided from the start

The new coach's tenure has started following substantial reverses versus leading rugby powers alongside a late triumph facing the Brave Blossoms

The Welsh team has suffered multiple defeats in recent games but the coach attempted to provide encouragement

"I feel that we have been building and improving, this demonstrated a controlled performance," he stated

"The Welsh are not a team who surrender easily yield to pressure, they battle continuously. This was an exceptionally precise display and us putting our soul out on the game"

"The team includes a great coach and shall return. We know it can change like the 1998 example we overcame them (by a huge margin) subsequently fell the following year"

South Africa finish the year top of world rugby following victories in back-to-back Rugby Championship titles

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

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

"The encouragement continues and the players have the fight. Achieve early successes, build momentum and results will transform

"I know that situations transformed from 2016, when we were nowhere, to 2019 when we won the World Cup. Anything is possible"

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