'The optics were poor' - Springboks coach reacts to Eben Etzebeth red card

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South Africa head coach the national team coach admitted "the visual impression was poor" after experienced second-row Eben Etzebeth was dismissed due to eye contact against Wales

South Africa's national team achieved a perfect autumn series by going on the rampage during the match to score 11 tries during a comprehensive shutout

Nevertheless almost the final act of the Test season featured the veteran player, who scored for the final score being dismissed through the decision of the match referee

The veteran forward was shown a sending-off due to contact the eye area of the Welsh player Alex Mann with his thumb during late-game altercation

"It's difficult to say what I can say that avoids controversy. The appearance was poor making it a legitimate dismissal," commented the coach

"How it happened and the reasons behind it, whether there was provocation, I am not sure, yet it's absolutely not the manner that we would have liked to end the game. In my view that the optics were great"

Etzebeth, who extended his national team milestone through receiving cap number 141 in Cardiff, looks certain to face a prolonged period out

His Sharks team start their continental tournament in France early December before a home game facing the London side including domestic clashes through the Christmas season

The reigning titleholders overwhelmed their opponents in a fixture that was one-sided from the beginning

The new coach's tenure has started with three heavy autumn defeats against top-tier nations plus a narrow victory versus the Asian side

Wales have lost numerous losses in current form but the coach attempted to offer some comfort

"I feel the squad has been progressing and advancing, this represented a controlled performance," he commented

"Wales are not a team who surrender easily and take the shots, they battle continuously. This represented one of the really clinical performances with our team displaying our soul out on the game"

"The team includes a great coach and will come back. We know situations can transform like the 1998 example we overcame them (96-13) subsequently fell soon after"

The national team end the calendar as the number one side having secured consecutive southern hemisphere crowns

South Africa's team have showcased their extensive squad strength and power however the manager recalled their former position

"We were in that situation with fans destroying merchandise, but the Welsh people are here," he said

"There is the support and the players have the fight. Achieve early successes, build momentum and circumstances will improve

"I recognize that things changed from 2016, when we were nowhere, achieving global success. Anything is possible"

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• Rugby in Wales
• National organization
• Rugby Union