Rassie Erasmus says Eben Etzebeth red card ‘justified’ after Wales rout

South Africa closed their demanding five-week end-of-year tour with a record 73-0 win over Wales in Cardiff, but the result was overshadowed by a late red card shown to veteran lock Eben Etzebeth.

The 32-year-old was dismissed in the 79th minute after match officials reviewed footage showing contact with the eye area of Welsh flanker Alex Mann during a scuffle moments after Etzebeth had scored South Africa’s 11th try.

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus did not dispute the decision and acknowledged the seriousness of the incident. He said the red card “looked justified” and added that regardless of what led to the clash, it was “not how we wanted to end the game”.

“I don’t know what I can say that won’t be controversial,” Erasmus said.

“It didn’t look good, and it was a justified red card. How it happened, why it happened, or whether he was provoked, I’m not sure. But it’s definitely not how we wanted to end the game. The optics were not great.”

Erasmus noted the incident detracted from an otherwise commanding Springbok display.

South Africa’s performance was clinical, running in 11 tries and preventing Wales from scoring. The clean sheet underlined the defensive improvement shown across the tour, which Erasmus described as “taxing but rewarding”.

The red card, however, now places Etzebeth at risk of a suspension, with a disciplinary process expected to follow.

Erasmus also sympathised with Wales, highlighting the challenge of losing several experienced players in a short period. He suggested that such cycles are common and believed Wales would stabilise as new players gain experience.

“Things can change quickly, and a lot can change in one year. If you look at the players they lost in one patch, there were so many players I’ve coached against, and they are experienced guys, who understand the Welsh psyche and what they stand for.

“When you lose 15 guys at one time, it’s hard, but eventually somewhere it will come right.”