Rassie Erasmus conceded that Eben Etzebeth's red card was not a good look for the South Africa great.

The Springboks cruised to an emphatic 73-0 rout of Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

However, the win was overshadowed by a moment of madness from Etzebeth, who had crossed for South Africa's final try.

The 34-year-old was sent off for making contact with Alex Mann's left eye, with Etzebeth appearing to gouge it with his thumb in the 79th minute, and he could now be in line for a long ban.

And South Africa coach Erasmus offered no excuses for Etzebeth's behaviour.

"I don't know what I can say that won't be controversial. It didn't look good and it was a justified red card," said Erasmus.

"How it happened and why it happened, and if he was provoked, I am not sure, but it's definitely not the way that we would have liked to end the game.

"I don't think that the optics were great."

A night to remember in Cardiff. Thank you @WelshRugbyUnion for a tough outing and good luck for the rest of the season #Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #WALvRSA pic.twitter.com/7dgQDVqyi9

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 29, 2025

South Africa will head into 2026 as the world's top team.

"We were in that situation and people were burning jerseys, but the Welsh people are here," Erasmus added.

"There is the support and the players have the fight. Get one or two wins, get on a roll and things will change.

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