Etzebeth, sent off: South Africa victory marred by red card against Wales

Eben Etzebeth, sent off: Rassie Erasmus acknowledges the red card

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has expressed his agreement with the red card shown to Eben Etzebeth, a player who came on as a substitute, for unsportsmanlike conduct. The world champions dominated the match, scoring 11 tries in a game where Wales suffered a heavy defeat at the Principality Stadium. However, the end of the match had a bitter taste for South Africa, with Etzebeth’s expulsion in the last minute.

South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth was sent off.

I don’t know what I can say that isn’t controversial. It didn’t look good.

Rassie Erasmus

Erasmus added that the red card was justified and that it was not the way the team would have wanted to end the match. The coach also offered hope to Wales, recalling their participation in South Africa’s record 96-13 victory against them in Pretoria in June 1998, and how, twelve months later, he was on the losing side of the Springboks in Cardiff. “I’m referring to ’98 and ’99 because it shows that things can change quickly. They have the support here and if they can get on a small streak, things will change,” Erasmus concluded.